Marvin Harris was an American anthropologist who profoundly influenced the development of cultural materialism. His work synthesized Marx's emphasis on the forces of production with Malthusian insights on demographic factors, which he posited as crucial in determining a society's social structure and culture. Harris shifted his focus from ideological aspects of culture to behavioral ones, striving for a nomothetic, scientific understanding of human culture. His approach, drawing upon and refining Marxist concepts, also incorporated demographic dynamics as determinants of sociocultural evolution.
Written by a foremost spokesperson on cultural materialism, this book introduces students to the four fields of anthropology making all aspects of archaeology, linguistics, physical anthropology and cultural anthropology accessible and relevant to readers.
The Origins of Cultures
In this brilliant and profound study the distinguished American anthropologist Marvin Harris shows how the endless varieties of cultural behavior -- often so puzzling at first glance -- can be explained as adaptations to particular ecological conditions. His aim is to account for the evolution of cultural forms as Darwin accounted for the evolution of biological forms: to show how cultures adopt their characteristic forms in response to changing ecological modes. "[A] magisterial interpretation of the rise and fall of human cultures and societies." -- Robert Lekachman, Washington Post Book World "Its persuasive arguments asserting the primacy of cultural rather than genetic or psychological factors in human life deserve the widest possible audience." -- Gloria Levitas The New Leader "[An] original and...urgent theory about the nature of man and at the reason that human cultures take so many diverse shapes." -- The New Yorker "Lively and controversial." -- I. Bernard Cohen, front page, The New York Times Book Review
An Introduction to General Anthropology
Written by a foremost spokesperson on cultural materialism, this book introduces students to the four fields of anthropology making all aspects of archaeology, linguistics, physical anthropology and cultural anthropology accessible and relevant to readers.
In this brilliant and profound study the distinguished American anthropologist Marvin Harris shows how the endless varieties of cultural behavior -- often so puzzling at first glance -- can be explained as adaptations to particular ecological conditions. His aim is to account for the evolution of cultural forms as Darwin accounted for the evolution of biological to show how cultures adopt their characteristic forms in response to changing ecological modes."[A] magisterial interpretation of the rise and fall of human cultures and societies."-- Robert Lekachman, Washington Post Book World"Its persuasive arguments asserting the primacy of cultural rather than genetic or psychological factors in human life deserve the widest possible audience."-- Gloria Levitas The New Leader"[An] original and...urgent theory about the nature of man and at the reason that human cultures take so many diverse shapes."-- The New Yorker"Lively and controversial."-- I. Bernard Cohen, front page, The New York Times Book Review
One of America's leading anthropolgists offers solutions to the perplexing question of why people behave the way they do. Why do Hindus worship cows? Why do Jews and Moslems refuse to eat pork? Why did so many people in post-medieval Europe believe in witches? Marvin Harris answers these and other perplexing questions about human behavior, showing that no matter how bizarre a people's behavior may seem, it always stems from identifiable and intelligble sources.
The book offers a comprehensive history of anthropological theory, focusing on cultural materialism, a concept developed by the author. It includes the original 1968 text and a new introduction by Maxine Margolis, which reflects on the book's influence and recent trends in anthropology. Recognized for its significant impact, it argues for a scientific, behaviorally-based approach to understanding human culture. This essential volume is now available in paperback, making it accessible to anthropologists, graduate students, and social science theorists.
Examines the changes taking place in modern America, and discusses shoddy workmanship, poor service, inflation, crime, and religious cults.
In this book, Marvin Harris presents his current views on the nature of culture addressing such issues as the mental/behavioral debate, emics and etics, and anthropological holism.
Written by a foremost spokesperson on cultural materialism, this book introduces students to the four fields of anthropology making all aspects of archaeology, linguistics, physical anthropology and cultural anthropology accessible and relevant to readers.
