Anthropological theory has been much discussed in recent years,
yet the crucial questions still remain--how can it be defined, how
is it developed, how is it to be applied, and how can one confirm
it? The editors of "Anthropological Theory" answer these questions
by presenting essays relating to various aspects of anthropological
theory. Their selections from widely scattered and often
difficult-to-obtain sources present a comprehensive set of writings
that describe the current position and issues involved in
theory.
The development of field work in anthropology generated a
tremendous emphasis on empirical data and research. The plethora of
information awaiting collection and the enthusiasm with which the
field embraced it so immersed anthropologists that they were unable
to relate this new information to the field as a whole. Manners and
Kaplan believe that this lack of generalization had a profoundly
negative effect upon the discipline. Therefore, they look closely
into the relationship between field work and theory in an opening
essay and go on to present material that demonstrates the value and
the necessity of theory in anthropology. Essays by anthropologists
and other social scientists deal with "explanation," evolution,
ecology, ideology, structuralism, and a number of other issues
reflecting throughout the editors' conviction that anthropology is
a science, the goal of which is to produce generalizations about
sociocultural phenomena.
The book provides necessary perspective for examining and
evaluating the crucial intellectual concerns of modern anthropology
and will therefore be important for the work of every
anthropologist.
"Robert A. Manners" (1913-1996) received his Ph.D. from Columbia
University and carried on field work in the Caribbean, among
American Indians in the Southwest, and in East Africa. He wrote
numerous articles and reviews for anthropological journals as well
as many books. He was professor of anthropology, Brandeis
University where he started up the department.
"David Kaplan" is professor emeritus of anthropology at Brandeis
University. He has contributed articles and reviews to various
journals. He has also done field work in Mexico and his areas of
specialty include economic anthropology, method and theory, and
peasant culture of Mesoamerica.
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