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The (F)utility of a Culture Concept?: Conceptualizations of "Culture" From Evolutionism to Post-Modernism
Author(s) -
Anh Ly
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of anthropology at mcmaster
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0707-3771
DOI - 10.15173/nexus.v19i1.206
Subject(s) - evolutionism , epistemology , context (archaeology) , sociology , politics , social science , political science , philosophy , history , law , archaeology
This paper attempts to provide an historical survey and examination of the emergence, employment, and significance of the concept of "culture" in anthropological discourse from evolutionist frameworks to post-modern critiques. Arguably one of the most nebulous concepts within the discipline, "culture", and the discussion of it. has triggered an ongoing and somewhat contentious debate within the discipline. To understand the debate over the (f)utility of the culture concept, it is necessary to examine the theoretical context in which the concept has been used. defended or criticized and. subsequently, to situate that specific context within the larger context of the development of the discipline. The goal of this paper is to provide insight into the complexity of the debate over the centrality, utility, and politics of the culture concept in anthropological theory and practice. The evolution of the concept of culture within anthropology is an historical accretion of ideas and only by examining previous formulations of the concept and the specific historical context within which it arose can we engage with the concept more critically in our current and future anthropological endeavours.

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