Anthropophagy vs. Cannibalism — What's the Difference?

Anthropophagy is a broad term that encompasses the consumption of human flesh by both humans and animals, highlighting a practice observed in various contexts, including survival situations, ritualistic ceremonies, and mythical lore. Cannibalism, on the other hand, is a subset of anthropophagy that specifically involves humans eating the flesh of other humans, often carrying cultural, social, and sometimes legal implications.

While anthropophagy can describe a survival tactic among animals or a rare behavioral anomaly in humans, cannibalism is usually laden with cultural significance, taboo, and often moral and ethical condemnation. This distinction underscores the specific human-on-human nature of cannibalism, as opposed to the broader concept of human flesh being consumed by any species in anthropophagy.

The study of anthropophagy can span across disciplines such as anthropology, zoology, and psychology, reflecting its occurrence across the natural and human world. Cannibalism, however, is predominantly examined within the realms of anthropology, history, and criminology, focusing on its role in human societies, rituals, and, in some cases, psychopathological behavior.

Instances of anthropophagy outside human societies are rare and typically observed in extreme conditions or survival scenarios. Conversely, cannibalism has been documented throughout history in various cultures and contexts, including as part of ritualistic practices, warfare tactics, or in times of famine, highlighting its complex role in human society.

The ethical and moral debates surrounding anthropophagy are often nuanced, considering scenarios like life-threatening situations where survival depends on the consumption of available human flesh. In contrast, discussions on cannibalism frequently involve considerations of consent, desecration, and the violation of social norms, reflecting the deeply ingrained taboos against this practice within human societies.