Theorizing the Anthropology of Belief

by: Luke J. Matthews (Author),Paul Robertson(Author)
Edition: 1st

Publication Date: February 1, 2024

Language: English

Print Length: 106 pages

ISBN-10: 1032420324

ISBN-13: 9781032420325

Book Description

This book explores both scientific and humanistic theoretical traditions in anthropology through the lens of ontology.The first part of the book examines different methods for generating valid anthropological knowledge and proposes a shift in current consensus. Drawing on Weste scholars of antiquity and the medieval period and moving away from 20th-century theorists, it argues that we must first make ontological assumptions about the kinds of things that can exist (or not) before we can then develop epistemologies that study those kinds of things. The book goes on to apply the ontology-first theory to a set of case studies in mode day conspiracy theories, misinformation, and magical thinking. It asserts that we need to move away from unneeded metaphysical assumptions of conspiracy theories being misinformation and argues that reconstructing particular historical events can be a fruitful zone for application of quantitative methods to humanistic questions.Theorizing the Anthropology of Belief is an excellent supplementary suitable for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in anthropological theory.
This book explores both scientific and humanistic theoretical traditions in anthropology through the lens of ontology.The first part of the book examines different methods for generating valid anthropological knowledge and proposes a shift in current consensus. Drawing on Weste scholars of antiquity and the medieval period and moving away from 20th-century theorists, it argues that we must first make ontological assumptions about the kinds of things that can exist (or not) before we can then develop epistemologies that study those kinds of things. The book goes on to apply the ontology-first theory to a set of case studies in mode day conspiracy theories, misinformation, and magical thinking. It asserts that we need to move away from unneeded metaphysical assumptions of conspiracy theories being misinformation and argues that reconstructing particular historical events can be a fruitful zone for application of quantitative methods to humanistic questions.Theorizing the Anthropology of Belief is an excellent supplementary suitable for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in anthropological theory. Read more