The rebirth of anthropological theory / / Stanley R. Barrett

• Autore: Barrett Stanley R.
• Pubblicazione: Toronto, [Ontario] ; ; Buffalo, [New York] ; ; London, [England] : , : University of Toronto Press, , 1964; ©1964
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (281 pages) : illustrations, tables
• Disciplina: 305.8001
• Soggetto topico: Ethnology - Philosophy
• Soggetto genere / forma: Electronic books.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- 1. Introduction -- 2. An Overview of Theory -- 3. Paradigms or Pseudo-paradigms -- 4. Conceptual Contradictions -- 5. Theory as Myth -- 6. Structuralism and the Second Burial of Émile Durkheim -- 7. Contradictions in Everyday Life -- 8. Neutralizing Mechanisms -- 9. The Illusion of Simplicity -- 10. Reflections on Our Future -- Bibliography -- Index
• Sommario/riassunto: Innovative and often controversial, Barrett's study ranges over the entire scope of anthropological theory. It provides a fresh interpretation of the history of theory and mounts an alternative perspective, built around dialectics, that is eminently suitable to post-colonial anthropology.He argues that anthropological theory has failed to be cumulative. It has been characterized by oscillation and repetition - theoretical orientations have appeared and disappeared, only to be discovered once again. Addressing numerous conceptual contradictions which have never been resolved, he introduces novel concepts such as salvage theory and backward theory, and argues that in many respects anthropological theory resembles the structuralists interpretation of myth.Social life, he asserts, is inherently contradictory, although concealed by numerous mechanisms, most of which reinforce the status quo. Attacking the illusion of simplicity which has dominated positivistic approaches and the out-dated identification of anthropology with non-Western, primitive, and tribal societies, Barrett contends that power and privilege everywhere should be the basic concerns of anthropological inquiry.
• Titolo autorizzato: The rebirth of anthropological theory
• ISBN: 1-4426-5515-1; 1-4426-8217-5
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910460886803321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II