Anthropology and Dialectical Naturalism
Author | : Brian Morris |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 0 |
Release | : 2021-02-25 |
ISBN-10 | : 1551647443 |
ISBN-13 | : 9781551647449 |
Rating | : 4/5 (43 Downloads) |
Download or read book Anthropology and Dialectical Naturalism written by Brian Morris and published by . This book was released on 2021-02-25 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Is the world just a cultural construct where people create their own realities? In this illuminating and wide-ranging philosophical treatise, Brian Morris critiques broad swathes of recent theory as he seeks to reclaim anthropology as a historical social science. He achieves this by grounding it within a metaphysic of "dialectical naturalism" or "evolutionary realism"--a tradition long ignored by academic philosophy. After reviewing the anthropological background of this worldview--the Greeks and the Enlightenment--Morris explores two essential themes. First, he critically assesses the main forms of dialectical naturalism, including Darwin's evolutionary theory, Marx's historical materialism, and the hylo-realism of the philosopher-scientist Mario Bunge. Second, he offers a strong plea to retain the dual heritage of anthropology as a historical science that combines both humanism and naturalism. A powerful philosophical manifesto, the book cogently upholds dialectical naturalism as the most grounding philosophy for anthropology and the social sciences.