Clifford geertz, who has died aged 80 of complications following heart surgery, was one of the most influential anthropologists of his generation. Usa, as son of clifford james geertz senior, a trader and businessman 18911966, and his wife lois briegergeertz a former semiprofessional tennisplayer, 18951974 cliff j. Contents preface part i 4 chapter 11 thick description. Geertz introduces the possibility that common sense is a cultural regime like any other, and consequently a product of historical and cultural specificities. Essays in interpretive anthropology, basic books, new york, 1983, pp 59, clifford geertz writes, the concept of person isan. He contrasts his interpretation of engaging in deep play extremely high stakes activities with jeremy benthams famous earlier characterization of irrational behavior. A few zealots persist in the old keytotheuni verse view of it. Nov 14, 2006 clifford geertz, who has died aged 80 of complications following heart surgery, was one of the most influential anthropologists of his generation. Theorist clifford geertzs influence extends far beyond anthropology. Some philosophical assumptions in the work of clifford geertz1 diane j. The second aspect is the approach to the hermeneutic of clifford geertz. Information and search in peasant marketing authors.
A collection of academical essays in which geertz, with trademark ironic wit, invites readers to meditate with him on the central puzzle and conundrum of the humanities and interpretive social sciences. Clifford geertz was born in san francisco on august 23, 1926. Geertz the uses of diversity 255 strauss, incorrigible, read his entire text, apparently at high speed, in the time left. Rather, it is a web of symbols that can help us better understand what that behavior means. Common sense is not what the mind cleared of cant spontaneously apprehends, he claims, but rather what the mind filled with historical and cultural presuppositionsconcludes 84. Written with a rare combination of analysis and speculation, this comprehensive study of javanese religion is one of the few books on the religion of a nonwestern people which emphasizes variation and conflict in belief as well as similarity and harmony. With the interpretation of cultures, the distinguished anthropologist clifford geertz developed the concept of thick description, and in so doing, he virtually rewrote the rules of his field. Originally published in i 966, it was reprinted in his widelyacclaimed the interpretation of cultures i973. Apr 25, 2014 part six in a screencast lecture in six parts on seven classic theories of religion. This volume reflects the breadth of his influence, looking at geertz as a theorist rather than as an anthropologist. Clifford geertz, an eminent scholar in the field of cultural anthropology, was the first and founding professor in the school of social science. He served until his death as professor emeritus at the institute for advanced study, princeton. Clifford geertz revolutionized the concept of culture by not only prioritizing it over the concept of social structure for the anthropological inquiry, but also by defining it as a symbolic system 17. In my introduction i stated how both anthropologists and historians attempt to examine humanity in the mist, and how cultural historians attempt to use anthropological models to answer historical questions in order.
Before his work in nevada and idaho, however, liljeblad had already earned an international reputation for his. After wartime service in the us navy he studied philosophy at antioch college, ohio. Austin the paper examines some of the philosophical bases of clifford geertzs work. A companion volume to the interpretation of cultures, this book continues. Clifford geertz is currently considered a single author. In 1956, he received a phd from harvards department of social relations. Kei yoshida 2007 philosophy of the social sciences 37 3. To date there has been no impartial, comprehensive, and authoritative work published on this critical figure. The interpretation of cultures selected essays by clifford geertz basic books, inc. To date there has been no impartial, comprehensive, and authoritative work. Bill at antioch college in yellow springs, ohio, where he first majored in english. Discover book depositorys huge selection of clifford geertz books online. To conclude, the work of clifford geertz has a lot to offer research into history, as long as his work is used correctly. Clifford geertzs books clifford geertz average rating.
If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Human nature, presumably everywhere one and the same, comes to us only in its local varieties, as a bewildering diversity of languages, cultures, cultural practices, beliefs. This part covers the work of anthropologist clifford geertz. In essays covering everything from art and common sense to charisma and constructions of the self, the eminent cultural anthropologist and author of the interpretation of cultures deepens our understanding of human societies through the intimacies of local knowledge. Oct 24, 2006 an interview with the anthropologist clifford geertz. A companion volume to the interpretation of cultures, this book continues geertzs exploration of the. Clifford geertz primary author only author division. The interpretation of cultures clifford geertz is mu. Clifford geertz s essay religion as a cultural system is perhaps the most influential, certainly the most accomplished, anthropological definition of religion to have appeared in the last two decades. Further essays in interpretive anthropology clifford geertz. Clifford geertz, an american anthropologist, is known for his studies of islam in indonesia and morocco and of the peasant economy of java. In particular, the paper considers the role of philosophical theories of meaning as. But he is also the leading exponent of an orientation in the social sciences called interpretation. Geertz defined the field of interpretive social science, and is regarded as one of the most influential and widely cited american cultural anthropologists of.
We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Liljeblad 18992000 was a prominent folklorist, linguist, and anthropologist who participated in an important chapter of. Part six in a screencast lecture in six parts on seven classic theories of religion. On the nature of anthropological understanding, from local knowledge. Human nature, presumably everywhere one and the same, comes to us only in its local varieties, as a bewildering diversity of languages, cultures, cultural practices, beliefs, mentalities. An interview with the anthropologist clifford geertz. After serving in the navy from 1943 through 1945, he studied under the g. Clifford geertz is known for his work on cultural insights griffin, 2012. Geertz, the anthropological understanding, and persons. In 1958, geertz began an anthropological study of bali, sponsored by the balinese government itself, and after many difficulties, he manages to access the balinese society through a longstanding illegal tradition. Thus, not only has war evolved, but in changing, it has given rise to novel pat terns in. August 23, 1926 october 30, 2006 was an american anthropologist who is remembered mostly for his strong support for and influence on the practice of symbolic anthropology, and who was considered for three decades. Toward an interpretive vii theory of culture 3 part ii chapter 21 the impact of the concept of culture on the concept of man 33 chapter 31 the growth of culture and the evolution of mind 55 part iii chapter 41 religion as a cultural system 87 chapter 51 ethos, world view, and the analysis of.
Clifford geertz author of the interpretation of cultures. Clifford geertzs essay religion as a cultural system is perhaps the most influential, certainly the most accomplished, anthropological definition of religion to have appeared in the last two decades. Clifford geertz was born in san francisco, california, on august 23, 1926. As promised in an earlier post on clifford geertz, i will be posting a few reactions here to his essays in local knowledge. Even though santiago has an altar in the local church, it is not visited in. Partly as a response to earlier anthropological schools like functionalism, structuralism, evolutionism who undermined the cultural aspect, and partly resorting to. Rather than conceptualizing it as a collection of immediate deliverances of experience, the author makes a strong case for examining common sense as an organized body of. For full interview or interviews of many others, please see.
Interpretation of culture posted on january 30, 20 by sitareist clifford geertz revolutionized the concept of culture by not only prioritizing it over the concept of social structure for the anthropological inquiry, but also by defining it as a symbolic system 17. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Geertz analyzes the connotations of this tradition, remarking the sexual connotations that also exist in balinese, the paradoxical nature of the. Liljeblad 18992000 was a prominent folklorist, linguist, and anthropologist who participated in an important chapter of great basin native american studies beginning in the 1940s.
American economic association heidelberg university. Cultural investigation in the social sciences cultural sociology jeffrey c. Pdf on jan 1, 1998, fraya frehse and others published o saber local. Jun 02, 2012 as promised in an earlier post on clifford geertz, i will be posting a few reactions here to his essays in local knowledge. Common sense from local knowledge by clifford geertz in the selections from this essay that i studied, geertz develops a provocative new interpretation of the term common sense.