9780060426972 - Culture, People, and Nature

Culture, People, and Nature

'Culture, People, and Nature' by Marvin Harris is a seminal work that delves into the intricate relationships between human societies, their cultural practices, and the natural environments they inhabit. This book, with its ISBN 9780060426972, offers a comprehensive exploration of cultural materialism, a theoretical framework Harris developed to understand how practical conditions of life shape cultural phenomena. Through a series of engaging case studies, Harris demonstrates how environmental and technological factors influence social structures, beliefs, and values across different cultures. The book is a must-read for students and scholars of anthropology, sociology, and environmental studies, providing a foundational perspective on the dynamic interplay between humans and their surroundings. Harris's clear and accessible writing style makes complex theories understandable to a broad audience, ensuring the book's relevance and appeal beyond academic circles.

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€16.95
GOED
Auteur Marvin Harris
ISBN 9780060426972
Bindwijze Hardcover
Tags anthropology cultural materialism Marvin Harris sociology environmental studies

Marvin Harris's 'Culture, People, and Nature' is a groundbreaking text that has significantly influenced the field of anthropology. The book's strength lies in its ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner, making it a valuable resource for both academics and general readers. Harris's cultural materialist approach offers a compelling lens through which to view the development of human societies, though some critics argue that it may oversimplify the role of ideology and individual agency. Despite this, the book's extensive use of case studies from around the world provides a rich, empirical foundation for its arguments, making it an enduring contribution to the study of culture and environment. The clarity of Harris's prose and the logical structure of his arguments ensure that readers come away with a deeper understanding of the material conditions that shape human life.

In 'Culture, People, and Nature,' Marvin Harris presents a detailed examination of how the material conditions of life influence cultural development. The book begins by outlining the principles of cultural materialism, a theory that prioritizes the practical, everyday needs of humans as the primary drivers of cultural evolution. Harris then applies this framework to a variety of cultural phenomena, from dietary restrictions to religious rituals, showing how each can be understood in terms of its adaptive value in specific environmental contexts. Through examples ranging from the sacred cows of India to the potlatch ceremonies of the Pacific Northwest, Harris illustrates the utility of his approach in explaining diverse cultural practices. The book concludes with a discussion of the implications of cultural materialism for understanding contemporary global issues, making it not only a theoretical treatise but also a call to apply anthropological insights to modern challenges.