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The philosophical transition of anthropology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shifts from a marginal discipline, culturally surrounded by intellectual and social reservations, to an effective national strategic tool—an epistemological success story rarely seen in contemporary intellectual history.

For many decades, anthropology was viewed as a discipline that risked questioning prevailing religious and traditional certainties or stirring narrow sectarian sentiments. However, the new strategic vision led by Saudi Vision 2030 dismantled these old concerns and replaced them with a mature awareness that sees the study of human beings and understanding society as an integral part of sound national decision-making. The state, may God guide it, realized that effective strategic planning, building smart cities of tomorrow, and managing major economic transformations cannot succeed or stabilize unless based on a precise scientific understanding of society's characteristics, values, and diverse cultural representations. Thus, anthropology moved from the academic periphery to the center of sovereign state interest, equipped with the latest multidisciplinary cultural studies tools to monitor and analyze the behavioral and symbolic structure of contemporary Saudi individuals and ensure their safe passage into the future.

This philosophical shift pulled the rug out from under intellectual currents that long sought to keep the humanities completely isolated from development and nation-building issues, declaring anthropology the most capable methodological tool for deconstructing traditional societal structures and understanding how they respond to modernity and change without sacrificing major identity constants. With this methodological localization, Saudi anthropology becomes a distinctly national science, effectively contributing to formulating a comprehensive and sustainable development vision that places humans—with their culture, values, and history—at the forefront of its priorities and ultimate strategic goals.

In the same philosophical vein, we see how the Saudi developmental mindset shifted from absolute and traditional focus on physical infrastructure to deep and comprehensive focus on the cultural and social structure of human beings. In the early decades of the economic boom, development was reduced to building concrete blocks, paving highways, establishing industrial cities, and expanding logistics networks—essential physical infrastructure, but insufficient alone to create a sustainable and balanced civilizational renaissance. With the dawn of Vision 2030, a massive and bold qualitative shift occurred, as the Saudi strategic planner realized that humans are both the engine and ultimate goal of development, and that the real and most effective investment lies in their mind, emotions, values, and culture. This structural philosophical change necessitated the use of precise scientific tools and methods capable of reading social and symbolic existence, interpreting human behavior, and tracing its roots and constant changes. Thus, anthropology became a fundamental pillar for understanding the human dimension in major development projects, ensuring that modern economic and technical plans harmonize with the prevailing customs, traditions, and values of local communities. Culture transforms from mere social decoration and entertainment into a strategic asset, soft power, and immense productive energy, effectively contributing to building a sustainable knowledge economy.

This shift reflects a mature human development philosophy that refuses to see the individual as a mere statistical figure or a cog in the economic production machine, but rather as a complete cultural being carrying a deep heritage and a unique voice among nations.

Translated from "Al Riyadh"

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