Symbolic Anthropology And Materialistic Anthropology: How They Relate To Idealism And Materialism

Abstract: 6 pages in length. Within the fundamental framework of human culture exists a dichotomy of anthropological applications that ultimately form man's behavior and outlook. These divergent elements, as espoused by Marshall David Sahlins and Clifford Geertz, help bring to light the very essence of what it means to be part of a particular society based solely upon one's cultural understanding. Sahlins' "Stone Age Economics" and Geertz's "The Interpretation of Cultures" present extremely opposite explication of what prompts humanity to seek certain materialistic commodities, as well as act in certain ways, with Sahlins supporting the view of materialistic anthropology and Geertz, symbolic anthropology. However, even though each author has his own interpretation of how mankind is ultimately compelled into action, they both come to the same conclusion with regard to the axiomatic foundation of such motivation: cultural influence of idealism and materialism. No additional sources cited.

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Catagory:

Subcatagory: Anthropology

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