The Reinvention of Primitive Society : Transformations of a Myth

__The Invention of Primitive Society__, Adam Kuper’s best selling critique of ideas about the origins of society and religion that have been much debated since Darwin, has been hugely influential in anthropology and post-colonial studies. This topical new edition, entitled __The Reinvention of Primitive Society__, has been thoroughly revised and updated to take account of new research in the field. It coincides with a revival of the myth of primitive society by the ‘indigenous peoples’ movement’, which taps into a widespread popular belief about the noble savage and reflects a romantic reaction against ‘civilisation’ and ‘science’. By way of fascinating accounts of classic texts in anthropology, classical studies and law, the book reveals how wholly mistaken theories can become the basis for academic research and political programmes. In new chapters, Kuper challenges this most recent version of the myth of primitive society and traces conceptions of the barbarian, savage and primitive back through the centuries to ancient Greece. Lucidly written and student friendly, this is the must-have text for those interested in anthropological theory and current post-colonial debates. The Invention of Primitive Society, Adam Kuper's decisive critique of ideas about the origins of society and religion that have been debated since Darwin, has been hugely influential in anthropology and postcolonial studies. This iconoclastic intellectual history showed that 'primitive society' was the imagined opposite to Western civilisation. By way of fascinating accounts of classic texts in anthropology, ancient history and law, the book revealed how wholly mistaken theories can become the basis for academic research and political programmes.The publication of this expanded and radically revised new edition, now entitled The Reinvention of Primitive Society, coincides with a revival of the myth of primitive society by the 'indigenous peoples movement', which taps into a widespread popular belief about the noble savage, and reflects a romantic reaction against 'civilisation' and 'science'. In a new final chapter, Kuper challenges this most recent version of the myth of primitive society. Another new chapter traces conceptions of the barbarian, savage and primitive back through the centuries to ancient Greece. The remaining chapters have all been recast and updated to take new research into account.The Reinvention of Primitive Society: Transformations of a myth is essential reading for readers interested in anthropological theory and current post-colonial debates, and indeed for anyone who is curious about the ways in which we systematically misunderstand other peoples.Adam Kuper is a Professor of Anthropology at Brunel University UK, and a Fellow of the British Academy. He is the author of a number of books, including Anthropologists and Anthropology: The Modern British School, third edition (Routledge 1996). The founding president of the European Association of Social Anthropologists, he was for many years editor of Current Anthropology, and is the co-editor of The Social Science Encyclopedia, third edition (Routledge 2003).

The Invention of Primitive Society, Adam Kuper’s best selling critique of ideas about the origins of society and religion that have been much debated since Darwin, has been hugely influential in anthropology and post-colonial studies.

This topical new edition, entitled The Reinvention of Primitive Society, has been thoroughly revised and updated to take account of new research in the field. It coincides with a revival of the myth of primitive society by the ‘indigenous peoples’ movement’, which taps into a widespread popular belief about the noble savage and reflects a romantic reaction against ‘civilisation’ and ‘science’. By way of fascinating accounts of classic texts in anthropology, classical studies and law, the book reveals how wholly mistaken theories can become the basis for academic research and political programmes. In new chapters, Kuper challenges this most recent version of the myth of primitive society and traces conceptions of the barbarian, savage and primitive back through the centuries to ancient Greece.

Lucidly written and student friendly, this is the must-have text for those interested in anthropological theory and current post-colonial debates.

An expanded and radically revised new edition that is essential reading for those who are interested in anthropological theory and current post-colonial debates, or simply curious about the ways in which we systematically misunderstand other peoples. Adam Kuper. Rev. Ed. Of: The Invention Of Primitive Society. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [225]-264) And Index.