the interpretation of cultures clifford geertz summary

Prior to the publication of Geertz’ work, field researchers often treated themselves as “human recorders”, travelling to unfamiliar locales, penetrating the local world, and recording local “reality.” Geertz, through philosophical argumentation, made a fairly basic point, albeit eloquently enough to garner attention from his peers: it is not possible for social scientists to record a tangible social reality. The first chapter, Thick Description: Toward and Interpretive Theory of Culture, is frequently referenced by social scientists. First, the book altered how anthropologists perceived their work – The Interpretation of Cultures is an epistemological work. The longevity of the book (excerpts are still read in social science classes) has multiple attributions. How many Westerners are truly fascinated enough by the details of Indonesian culture to read 400 plus pages on the topic (certainly not I). Yet, it is certain that, if The Interpretation of Cultures were mere anthropological description, the book probably would not have survived. The book is structured around anthropological description, with Geertz relying on field data he gathered mostly in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The late Clifford Geertz was lauded for his 1973 anthropological volume, and I do not find this to be hype. The Interpretation of Cultures is an academic classic. This definitive edition, with a foreword by Robert Darnton, remains an essential book for anthropologists, historians, and anyone else seeking to better understand human cultures. Named one of the 100 most important books published since World War II by the Times Literary Supplement, The Interpretation of Cultures transformed how we think about others' cultures and our own. A thick description explains not only the behavior, but the context in which it occurs, and to describe something thickly, Geertz argues, is the fundamental role of the anthropologist.

Rather, it is a web of symbols that can help us better understand what that behavior means.

Culture, Geertz argues, does not drive human behavior. 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. One of the twentieth century's most influential books, this classic work of anthropology offers a groundbreaking exploration of what culture is

The interpretation of cultures clifford geertz summary