Beyond relativism : comparability in cultural anthropology
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Beyond relativism : comparability in cultural anthropology
Altamira Press, c2007
- : cloth
- : pbk
- Other Title
-
Beyond relativism : rethinking comparability in cultural anthropology
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-176) and index
Description and Table of Contents
- Volume
-
: cloth ISBN 9780759110793
Description
Can elements of one culture-kinship relations, for example-be profitably compared to similar elements in other cultures? According to much anthropological thinking of recent decades, the answer is "no." Cultures are closed systems, many people argue, and their internal elements can only be understood with respect to the culture as a whole. Cultural anthropologist Robert C. Hunt, drawing on his vast experience studying cultures around the world, here makes a powerful counter-argument that the various elements making up a culture not only can but must be compared across cultures if we are to understand them at all. Cultural comparison is not easy, and it cannot eliminate all ambiguity, but it is necessary if we are to develop a scientific understanding of how cultures work. This intriguing polemic will appeal to students of cultural anthropology, sociology, and ethnic studies, especially those interested in the theoretical grounding of these disciplines.
Table of Contents
Part 1 Are Cultures Like Apples and Oranges? Chapter 2 A Scientific Cultural Anthropology? Chapter 3 Challenges to Comparability Part 4 Comparability in Natural Science Chapter 5 Dimensions in Natural Science: Length and Temperature Chapter 6 The Problem of Objects Part 7 Comparability in Culture: Dimensions and Objects Chapter 8 Phonology/Phonetics Chapter 9 Ethnobiology Chapter 10 Labor Productivity in Agriculture Chapter 11 Social Organization in Canal Irrigation Chapter 12 Kinship and Marriage Part 13 Can We Compare Apples and Oranges? Chapter 14 We Can Compare Apples and Oranges 15 References
- Volume
-
: pbk ISBN 9780759110809
Description
Can elements of one culture-kinship relations, for example-be profitably compared to similar elements in other cultures? According to much anthropological thinking of recent decades, the answer is 'no.' Cultures are closed systems, many people argue, and their internal elements can only be understood with respect to the culture as a whole. Cultural anthropologist Robert C. Hunt, drawing on his vast experience studying cultures around the world, here makes a powerful counter-argument that the various elements making up a culture not only can but must be compared across cultures if we are to understand them at all. Cultural comparison is not easy, and it cannot eliminate all ambiguity, but it is necessary if we are to develop a scientific understanding of how cultures work. This intriguing polemic will appeal to students of cultural anthropology, sociology, and ethnic studies, especially those interested in the theoretical grounding of these disciplines.
Table of Contents
Part 1 Are Cultures Like Apples and Oranges? Chapter 2 A Scientific Cultural Anthropology? Chapter 3 Challenges to Comparability Part 4 Comparability in Natural Science Chapter 5 Dimensions in Natural Science: Length and Temperature Chapter 6 The Problem of Objects Part 7 Comparability in Culture: Dimensions and Objects Chapter 8 Phonology/Phonetics Chapter 9 Ethnobiology Chapter 10 Labor Productivity in Agriculture Chapter 11 Social Organization in Canal Irrigation Chapter 12 Kinship and Marriage Part 13 Can We Compare Apples and Oranges? Chapter 14 We Can Compare Apples and Oranges 15 References
by "Nielsen BookData"