An Anthropological Toolkit : Sixty Useful Concepts

Presenting sixty theoretical ideas, David Zeitlyn asks ‘How to write about anthropological theory without making a specific theoretical argument.’ “David Zeitlyn has written a wryly engaging, short book on, essentially, why we should not become theoretical partisans―that, indeed, being a serious theorist means accepting precisely that principle.”―Michael Herzfeld, Harvard University To answer, he offers a series of mini essays about an eclectic collection of theoretical concepts that he has found helpful over the years. The book celebrates the muddled inconsistencies in the ways that humans live their messy lives. There are, however, still patterns discernible: the actors can understand what is going on, they see an event unfolding in ways that are familiar, as belonging to a certain type and therefore, Zeitlyn suggests, so can researchers. From the introduction: This book promotes an eclectic, multi-faceted anthropology in which multiple approaches are applied in pursuit of the limited insights which each can afford.... I do not endorse any one of these idea as supplying an exclusive path to enlightenment: I absolutely do not advocate any single position. As a devout nonconformist, I hope that the following sections provide material, ammunition and succour to those undertaking nuanced anthropological analysis (and their kin in related disciplines).... Mixing up or combining different ideas and approaches can produce results that, in their breadth and richness, are productive for anthropology and other social sciences, reflecting the endless complexities of real life. ...This is my response to the death of grand theory. I see our task as learning how to deal with that bereavement and how to resist the siren lures of those promising synoptic overviews. This book is relevant to anthropology, communication studies, cultural studies and sociology.

Presenting sixty theoretical ideas, David Zeitlyn asks'How to write about anthropological theory without making aspecific theoretical argument.'

"David Zeitlyn has written a wryly engaging, short book on,essentially, why we should not become theoretical partisans-that,indeed, being a serious theorist means accepting precisely thatprinciple."-Michael Herzfeld, Harvard University

To answer, he offers a series of mini essays about an eclecticcollection of theoretical concepts that he has found helpful overthe years. The book celebrates the muddled inconsistencies in theways that humans live their messy lives. There are, however, stillpatterns discernible: the actors can understand what is going on,they see an event unfolding in ways that are familiar, as belongingto a certain type and therefore, Zeitlyn suggests, so canresearchers.

From the introduction: This book promotes an eclectic,multi-faceted anthropology in which multiple approaches are appliedin pursuit of the limited insights which each can afford.... I do notendorse any one of these idea as supplying an exclusive path toenlightenment: I absolutely do not advocate any single position. Asa devout nonconformist, I hope that the following sections providematerial, ammunition and succour to those undertaking nuancedanthropological analysis (and their kin in related disciplines)....Mixing up or combining different ideas and approaches can produceresults that, in their breadth and richness, are productive foranthropology and other social sciences, reflecting the endlesscomplexities of real life.

...This is my response to the death of grand theory. I see ourtask as learning how to deal with that bereavement and how toresist the siren lures of those promising synopticoverviews.

This book is relevant to anthropology, communication studies,cultural studies and sociology.

Presenting 60 theoretical ideas, David Zeitlyn argues ‘How to write about anthropological theory without making a specific theoretical argument.’ “David Zeitlyn has written a wryly engaging, short book on, essentially, why we should not become theoretical partisans—that, indeed, being a serious theorist means accepting precisely that principle.”—Michael Herzfeld, Harvard University To answer, he gives a series of mini essays about an eclectic collection of theoretical concepts that over many years he has found helpful. The book celebrates the muddled inconsistencies in the ways that humans live their messy lives. However, for all the mess, there are patterns discernable: the actors can understand what is going on, they see an event unfolding in ways that are familiar, as belonging to a certain type and therefore, Zeitlyn suggests, so can researchers. From the introduction: This book promotes an eclectic, multi-faceted anthropology in which multiple approaches are applied in pursuit of the limited insights which each can afford.... I do not endorse any one of these idea as supplying an exclusive path to enlightenment: I absolutely do not advocate any single position. As a devout nonconformist, I hope that the following sections provide material, ammunition and succour to those undertaking nuanced anthropological analysis (and their kin in related disciplines).... Mixing up or combining different ideas and approaches can produce results that, in their breadth and richness, are productive for anthropology and other social sciences, reflecting the endless complexities of real life. "Presenting 60 theoretical ideas, David Zeitlyn argues 'How to write about anthropological theory without making a specific theoretical argument.' "David Zeitlyn has written a wryly engaging, short book on, essentially, why we should not become theoretical partisans-that, indeed, being a serious theorist means accepting precisely that principle."-Michael Herzfeld, Harvard University To answer, he gives a series of mini essays about an eclectic collection of theoretical concepts that over many years he has found helpful. The book celebrates the muddled inconsistencies in the ways that humans live their messy lives. However, for all the mess, there are patterns discernable: the actors can understand what is going on, they see an event unfolding in ways that are familiar, as belonging to a certain type and therefore, Zeitlyn suggests, so can researchers"-- Provided by publisher An Anthropological Toolkit 1 Contents 5 Figures 7 Acknowledgements 8 Introduction 9 Sixty Words to Think With 21 A 23 B 36 C 43 D 53 E 55 F 69 H 75 I 78 L 89 M 92 N 96 O 98 P 101 R 111 S 115 T 119 V 125 W 129 Coda 131 Index 147