Payback - The Logic of Retribution in Melanesian Religions (Hardcover)

Near to the heart of the human predicament are impulses to avenge - what most of us will recognize to be negative, counterproductive reactions against others who pose a threat. By contrast, nothing re-establishes our faith in humanity more than extraordinary acts of concession, such as peace-making, generosity and sacrifice. In this study Garry Trompf shows how various aspects of 'payback', both negative and positive, provide the best indices to an understanding of Melanesian views of life. The book explores the reasons why people 'pay back' and opens up a whole dimension in the cross-cultural study of human consciousness. The author conducts his readers through the most complex anthropological pageant on earth, illustrating his arguments from western New Guinea to Fiji.

General

Imprint:	Cambridge UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	July 1994
First published:	1994
Authors:	G. W. Trompf
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 32mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	568
ISBN-13:	978-0-521-41691-7
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social groups & communities > Religious groups Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > General Promotions
LSN:	0-521-41691-4
Barcode:	9780521416917

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