Sir John (Jack) Rankine Goody was a British social anthropologist whose influential work primarily examined social structure and societal change. He was a prominent teacher at Cambridge University, shaping generations of students. Goody's analyses focused on key factors such as the development of agriculture enabling surplus accumulation, urbanization and the growth of bureaucratic institutions, and crucially, communication technologies. He particularly emphasized the impact of writing on the advancement of civilization, science, and philosophy, as demonstrated in his seminal work on classical Greece. His scholarship continues to resonate across numerous disciplines due to its universal applicability to contemporary and historical social systems.
Focusing on the life and social structure of the Lo Wiili people in Haute Volta and Ghana, this 1967 work offers an in-depth ethnographic study. It explores their cultural practices, community dynamics, and the impact of historical changes on their society. The book provides valuable insights into the traditions and social organization of the Lo Wiili, reflecting their unique identity within the broader context of West African cultures.
The book explores the misconceptions surrounding traditional African social systems, emphasizing how differences in technology between Africa and Europe/Asia have led to misunderstandings. It highlights the unique aspects of African societies and their technological contexts, arguing for a reevaluation of these systems to better appreciate their complexities and contributions.
Essays in the Comparative Sociology of a new State and an old Tradition
308 pages
11 hours of reading
The research explores the dynamics of social change in Ghana, providing insights into the cultural, economic, and political transformations the country experienced. Through detailed analysis, it examines the factors driving these changes and their implications for Ghanaian society. This foundational work offers a comprehensive understanding of the social landscape during a significant period in Ghana's history.
Exploring the significance of the European Renaissance, this book examines whether it truly deserves its esteemed position in the narrative of modernity. It delves into historical perspectives, cultural shifts, and the implications of the Renaissance on contemporary thought, challenging readers to reconsider the era's impact on the development of modern society. Through critical analysis, it invites a reevaluation of the connections between past and present, offering insights into the complexities of historical interpretation.
Jeden z najwybitniejszych współczesnych przedstawicieli nauk społecznych skupia się na jednym z najważniejszych historycznych zagadnień minionego tysiąclecia: czy europejski Renesans istotnie zasługuje na swą wyjątkową pozycję w centrum naszych wyobrażeń na temat kształtowania się nowoczesności? Autor stara się określić cechy charakteryzujące „nasz” europejski Renesans, zapoczątkowany w XIV w. w Italii, zwracając szczególną uwagę na to, co Europa zawdzięcza wpływom pozaeuropejskim. Bada następnie, czy i w jakich warunkach do zjawisk odradzania się oraz rozkwitu kultury (po okresach regresu) dochodziło w innych kręgach cywilizacyjnych: w świecie arabsko-muzułmańskim, w Indiach oraz w Chinach. I porównuje procesy zachodzące w tamtych kulturach z modelem europejskim. Podobnie jak w swych wcześniejszych książkach poddaje krytyce europocentryczną wizję historii i zwraca szczególną uwagę na rolę pisma dla dziejów społeczeństw i ich kultury. Sir Jack Goody (ur. 1919) jest emerytowanym profesorem w St John’s College na Uniwersytecie w Cambridge. Od ponad pół wieku prowadzi badania z zakresu antropologii społecznej i historii cywilizacji. Opublikował m.in. książki: Logika pisma a organizacja społeczeństwa oraz Kradzież historii.
Exploring the interconnected themes of myth, orality, and literacy, the work of Jack Goody delves into the profound impact these elements have on culture and society. As a distinguished anthropologist, Goody examines how oral traditions shape narratives and knowledge transmission, contrasting them with the written word's influence. His insights offer a compelling analysis of the evolution of communication and its implications for understanding human history and cultural identity.
This vigorously argued book reveals the central role that Islam has played in European history. Following the movement of people, culture and religion from East to West, Goody breaks down the perceived opposition between Islam and Europe, showing Islam to be a part of Europe's past and present. In an historical analysis of religious warfare and forced migration, Goody examines our understanding of legitimate violence, ethnic cleansing and terrorism. His comparative perspective offers important and illuminating insights into current political problems and conflicts. Goody traces three routes of Islam into Europe, following the Arab through North Africa, Spain and Mediterranean Europe; the Turk through Greece and the Balkans; and the Mongol through Southern Russia to Poland and Lithuania. Each thrust made its mark on Europe in terms of population and culture. Yet this was not merely a military impact: especially in Spain, but elsewhere too, Europe was substantially modified by this contact. Today it takes the form of some eleven million immigrants, not to speak of the possible incorporation of further millions through Bosnia, Albania and Turkey.
Goodyho práce nabízí stručné, ale široce pojaté dějiny evropské rodiny od antiky po současnost. Autor zkoumá vliv klíčových společenských, politických a ekonomických změn v evropské historii na rodinný život, včetně nástupu křesťanství, feudalismu, renesance, reformace a především průmyslové revoluce.
Svou analýzu zasazuje autor do široké srovnávací perspektivy a uvádí příklady z celého světadílu. Ukazuje nejen to, jak se zkušenosti různých oblastí a národů v rámci Evropy v jednotlivých obdobích lišily, ale osvětluje i to, v čem se evropská zkušenost podobala vývoji v jiných částech světa nebo v čem se od něj naopak odlišovala. Klade si otázku, zda měla tato rodina nějaké specifické rysy, a zkoumá, jak se takové rysy mohly v průběhu času vyvinout.
V této studii jsem se pokusil upozornit na některé významné faktory, které se objevovaly v dějinách evropské rodiny od nejstarší doby. Snažil jsem se příliš neprodlévat na otázce výlučnosti tohoto světadílu, pokud jde o rozvoj kapitalismu, industrializaci či modernizaci. Mluvíme-li o rodině, manželství a příbuzenství, Evropa byla v některých ohledech výjimečná, jako je však každá země, každá jednotka. Zcela jinou otázkou je, zda mají tyto „jedinečné“ rysy něco společného s předpokládaným socioekonomickým vývojem, z něhož se zrodil „evropský zázrak“ kapitalismu, ačkoli ve své ranější merkantilní fázi byl tento „zázrak“ méně výjimečný, než se soudí.
Focusing on the pivotal role of writing, this book explores how it has influenced the evolution of various societies throughout history. It delves into the ways written communication has shaped cultural, political, and social structures, highlighting key moments where writing transformed human interaction and knowledge dissemination. Through detailed analysis, the text underscores the profound impact of written language on civilization's progress and identity.
