He described the practice of thick description as a way of providing cultural context and meaning to human actions and behavior, as opposed to thin description which is a factual account without any interpretation. This book published in 1973, and we are still in the start of 20, i can predict that this will be my favorite book for the hole of 20. The head clause can only serve as the restriction if it contributes a telic eventuality description. While geertz applies thick description in the direction of anthropological study specifically his own interpretive anthropology, his theory that asserts the essentially. One of the key terms in clifford geertzs anthropological theory. Brief note on the origins, evolution, and meaning of the. Toward an interpretive theory of culture, synthesizes his approach. Visual effect and its art historical thick description. Individual human actions can mean many different things, and geertz insisted that the anthropologist needs to be aware of this. Thick description an overview sciencedirect topics. The interpretation of cultures 3 edition by clifford geertz.
Geertz applied thick description to anthropological studies specifically his own interpretive anthropology, urging anthropologists to consider the limitations placed upon them by their own cultural cosmologies when attempting to. Geertzs response to this situation is most succinctly laid out in his famous essay, thick description, from which the following selection is excerpted. A summary of thick description the interpretation of. Mar 02, 2017 in his important essay thick description. Geertz believes that, while to some extent it is possible to reach an understanding of a culture outside of our own, it is important to understand that anthropological writing is merely a thick description, an interpretation of an interpretation. Geertz aimed to provide the social sciences with an understanding and appreciation of thick description.
These ideas were incompatible with textbook definitions of. A summary of thick description the interpretation of cultures in the interpretation of cultures, clifford geertz outlines in broader sense the job of an ethnographer. One of the twentieth centurys most influential books, this classic work of anthropology offers a groundbreaking exploration of what culture is with the interpretation of cultures, the distinguished anthropologist clifford geertz developed the concept of thick description, and in so doing, he virtually rewrote the rules of his field. The interpretation of cultures 3 edition by clifford. They resolve so many fundamental problems at once that they seem also to promise that they will resolve all fundamental problems. A cock fight usually consists of two cocks who are. Along with a critical discussion, you can view the article here a useful site. The american cultural anthropologist clifford geertz born 1926 did ethnographic field work in indonesia and morocco, wrote influential essays on central theoretical issues in the social sciences, and advocated a distinctive interpretive approach to anthropology. The other article id like to recommend here is geertzs deep play.
Clifford geertz deep play notes on the balinese cockfight. Clifford geertz was born in san francisco on august 23, 1926. Clifford geertz quotes author of the interpretation of cultures. Towards an interpretive theory of culture clifford geertz. Aug 15, 2017 with the interpretation of cultures, the distinguished anthropologist clifford geertz developed the concept of thick description, and in so doing, he virtually rewrote the rules of his field. Toward an interpretive vii theory of culture 3 part ii chapter 21 the impact of the concept of culture on the concept of man 33 chapter 31 the growth of culture and the evolution of mind 55 part iii chapter 41 religion as a cultural system 87 chapter 51 ethos, world view, and the analysis of. Jan 31, 2012 the description of cocks fighting is described by geertz as a mixture of intensity and beauty. By calling for a semiotic approach to culture, geertz sought to distinguish culture from social structures. A summary of thick description the interpretation of cultures. A thick description explains not only the behavior, but the context in which it occurs, and to describe something thickly, geertz argues, is the fundamental role of the. Yet, it is certain that, if the interpretation of cultures were mere anthropological description, the book probably would not have survived. I think also that this book made a so great impact on my imagination that i have changed my focus from sociologyphilosophy to cultural anthropology. Add one setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your universitys proxy server configure custom proxy use this if your affiliation does not provide a proxy.
Clifford geertz, american cultural anthropologist, a leading rhetorician and proponent of symbolic anthropology and interpretive anthropology. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Geertz applied thick description to anthropological studies specifically his own interpretive anthropology, while producing theory that had implications for other social sciences. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. By calling for a semiotic approach to culture, geertz sought to distinguish culture from social structures and institutions which were often thought to regulate peoples behaviors and practices. If the others think he is ac tually winking, his whole project misfires as completely, though with somewhat different results, as if they think he is twitching. Geertzs influence is summed up by anthropologist sherry ortner, in the introduction to the fate of culture. The interpretation of cultures basic books classics. Today, various disciplines have implemented thick description in their work. Geertzs 1973 adaptation of thick description was expanded upon by the noted qualitative researcher and professor of communications, sociology, and humanities, norman k.
Selected essays clifford geertz basic books, 1973 chapter i thick description. Further essays in interpretive anthropology,1 picks up where his pathbreaking the interpretation of cultures2 left off. A thick description explains not only the behavior, but the context in which it occurs, and to describe something thickly, geertz argues, is the fundamental role of the anthropologist. Geertzs thick description approach, along with the theories of claude levistrauss, has become increasingly recognized as a method of symbolic anthropology, enlisted as a working antidote to overly technocratic, mechanistic means of understanding cultures, organizations, and historical settings. Clifford geertzs thick description english language essay. Interpreting clifford geertz the term thick description is often used as a way to characterise the distinctiveness of qualitative research, in terms of both process and product.
Clifford geertz is one of the foremost figures in the reconfiguration of the boundary between the social sciences and the humanities for the second half of the twentieth century. While geertz applies thick description in the direction of anthropological study specifically his own interpretive anthropology, his theory that asserts the essentially semiotic nature of culture has implications for the social. Thick description is an anthropological method of explaining with as much detail as possible the reason behind human actions. Selected essays by clifford geertz online at alibris. Aug 15, 2017 one of the twentieth centurys most influential books, this classic work of anthropology offers a groundbreaking exploration of what culture is with the interpretation of cultures, the distinguished anthropologist clifford geertz developed the concept of thick description, and in so doing, he virtually rewrote the rules of his field. While geertz applies thick description in the direction of anthropological study specifically his own interpretive. Named one of the 100 most important books published since world war ii by the times literary supplement, the interpretation of cultures transformed how we think about others cultures and our own. Thick description is a term used by the cultural anthropologist clifford geertz. Toward an interpretive theory of culture anthropologist clifford geertz aims to provide social science with and understanding and appreciation of thick description. A thick description explains not only the behavior, but the context in which it occurs. Today, various disciplines have implemented thick description in. The precision of cockfighting is surprising because it entails an umpire who manages and judges matches. Contents preface part i 4 chapter 11 thick description.
An ebook reader can be a software application for use on a computer such as. The ethnographers role is to observe and analyse a culture by interpreting signs to. The late clifford geertz was lauded for his 1973 anthropological volume, and i do not find this to be hype. While it was gilbert ryle who first used the term thick description, it was clifford geertz is the person who made thick description famous. Rather, it is a web of symbols that can help us better understand what that behavior means. In his first chapter in the interpretation of cultures, clifford geertz discusses the role of the ethnographer. Geertz applies this semiotic perspective to the study of ritual, religion, and worldview in various societies and analyzes the ideological ferment in the new states. In her book, philosophy in a new key, susanne langer remarks that certain ideas. May 06, 2012 following ryle, geertz holds that anthropologys task is that of explaining cultures through thick description which specifies many details, conceptual structures and meanings, and which is opposed to thin description which is a factual account without any interpretation.
Thick description emphasized a more analytical approach, whereas previously observation alone was the primary approach. The interpretation of cultures by clifford geertz, paperback. Geertz aims to provide social science with and understanding and appreciation of thick description. Thin description for geertz is not only an insufficient account of an aspect of a culture. The book is structured around anthropological description, with geertz relying on field data he gathered mostly in the 1950s and 1960s. Geertz wrote about it in his article thick description. One of the most influential and inspiring ethnographers is clifford geertz 19262006 two seminal articles based on his fieldwork in indonesia are illustrativeboth instances of his blending of theory with his signature thick description shenmiao. Navy in world war ii 194345, geertz studied at antioch college, ohio b. Sep 04, 2012 a summary of thick description the interpretation of cultures in the interpretation of cultures, clifford geertz outlines in broader sense the job of an ethnographer. Buy the interpretation of cultures basic books classics new ed by geertz, clifford isbn. The interpretation of cultures by clifford geertz kirkus. The description of cocks fighting is described by geertz as a mixture of intensity and beauty. Clifford geertz american anthropologist britannica.
Clifford geertzs thick description explained summary. Named one of the 100 most important books published since world war ii by the times literary supplement, the interpretation of cultures transformed how we think. This cited by count includes citations to the following articles in scholar. Toward an interpretive theory of culture i in her book, philosophy in a new key, susanne langer remarks that certain ideas burst upon the intellectual landscape with a tremendous force. To geertz, analysis separated observation from interpretative methodologies. Following ryle, geertz holds that anthropologys task is that of explaining cultures through thick description which specifies many details, conceptual structures and meanings, and which is opposed to thin description which is a factual account without any interpretation. The interpretation of cultures is an academic classic.
For those who are not anthropologist it will probably be a not an easy to read book. In his bestselling interpretation of cultures, geertz wrote that the goal of anthropology should be a thick description an account that has the knowledge, understanding and empathy to. According to geertz an ethnographer must present a thick description which is composed not only of facts but also of commentary, interpretation and interpretations of those comments and interpretations. Indonesia has improved its institutions and industry, and a rising urban middle class has. This is the kind of integration of thick description with theory to which we should all aspire. An analytic overview clifford geertzs book, local knowledge. The method of thick description, as we see it described in course books in qualitative methodology, is mostly a transcription of geertzs. The essay by anthropologist clifford geertz, which first appeared in his bestknown book the interpretation of cultures, has been published in russian as a separate work in garage and ad marginem presss minima series deep play is a study of the balinese tradition of cockfighting, based on a year of anthropological research conducted by geertz at the end of the 1950s, when he and his wife. In her book, philosophy in a new key, susanne langer remarks that certain. Clifford geertz, the cultural anthropologist who influenced the practice of symbolic anthropology, wrote. With the interpretation of cultures, the distinguished anthropologist clifford geertz developed the concept of thick description, and in so doing, he virtually rewrote the rules of his field. Interpretation of cultures edition 2000 by clifford. Culture, geertz argues, does not drive human behavior. Geertz described the practice of thick description as a way of providing cultural context and.
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