Beyond relativism : comparability in cultural anthropology / Robert C. Hunt.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hunt, Robert C.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cross-cultural studies.

Physical Description:

xiii, 185 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham : Altamira Press, [2007]

Summary:

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, makes a powerful counterargument 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 and controversial book will appeal to students of cultural anthropology, sociology and ethnic studies, especially those interested in the theoretical grounding of these disciplines.

Contents:

Part I: Are cultures like apples and oranges?

A scientific cultural anthropology?

Challenges to comparability

Part II: Comparability in natural science

Dimensions in natural science: length and temperature

The problem of objects

Part III: Comparability in cultural anthropology: dimensions and objects

Phonology/phonetics

Ethnobiology

Labor productivity in agriculture

Social organization of canal irrigation

Kinship and marriage

Part IV: Can we compare apples and oranges?

We can compare apples and oranges.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 165-176) and index.

ISBN:

9780759110793

0759110794

9780759110809

0759110808

OCLC:

77821478