Materiality (Politics, History, and Culture)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.21 (712 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0822335425 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 304 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-12-22 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Humans are defined, to an extraordinary degree, by their expressions of immaterial ideals through material forms. Their case studies show that the latest forms of financial trading instruments can be compared with the oldest ideals of ancient Egypt, that the promise of software can be compared with an age-old desire for an unmediated relationship to divinity. In assessing the fundamental role of materiality in shaping humanity, they signal the need to decenter the social within social anthropology in order to make room for the material.Considering topics as diverse as theology, technology, finance, and art, the contributors—most of whom are anthropologists—examine the many different ways in which materiality has been understood and the consequences of these differences. Throughout history and across social and cultural contexts, most systems of belief—whether religious or secular&m
Of all of the recent works on material culture available, this is the one that exposes the complete range of perspectives and theoretical strategies that the most noted scholars are trying out and the interdisciplinary connections and alliances that are shaping the field.”—George Marcus, Rice University. “A milestone collection
Breadth, Substance, and Varied Contributions Tracy Brower Another excellent product from Daniel Miller with terrific insights on his concept of the 'humility of things' and so much more. This book's strength is its breadth and varied contributions. In addition to the substance and quality of the material, it me. "Deeply thought-provoking and educational" according to Reid Wegner. Excellent breadth of inquiry into the subject of its title. The introduction is a thorough and helpful container, and the subsequent pieces are independent but build well from one to the next. It is a very linear and coherent collection, and although it