Humanities type

Author: Raymond Firth
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: New developments in anthropology in China, responding to the new trends of human development. At the dawn of the 21st century, humanity has entered a different era. The development of the information society, the rise of the new economy, changes in the relationships between nation-states, the emergence of "globalization" and related issues, the new need for dialogue between cultural-religious traditions, and many other factors are about to bring significant changes to the landscape of the humanities. At the same time, China, after its "three leaps and two jumps" in the 20th century, has entered an era of major social transformation. Domestically, reform and "Western Development" are reshaping our urban-rural relationships. Today, as the nation navigates the world stage, the pluralistic yet integrated fabric of the Chinese nation will acquire new dimensions. Alongside the rapid social changes at home, our position in the global is also undergoing subtle shifts. In such an era, anthropologists have much work to do. We must address unprecedented challenges in human survival and development in the new century and contribute our due share to the world's "harmony in diversity." Based on extensive ethnographic material, this book explores how historical and geographical factors shape a people's way of life and how culture, as a product of the natural environment, addresses issues of economy, technology, organization, and sexuality in different societies. It serves as both an excellent introduction to anthropology and a classic work in economic anthropology.