Comparison in Anthropology - The Impossible Method

Presents a systematic rethinking of the power and limits of comparison in anthropology.

List of contents

Introduction; Part I. Impossibilities: 1. The impossible method; 2. The garden of forking paths; 3. Caesurism and heuristics; Part II. An Archetype: 4. Comparatio; 5. Two ends of lateral comparison: identity and alterity; 6. Another dimension of lateral comparison: identity and intensity; 7. Two ends of frontal comparison: identity, alterity, reflexivity; 8. The oscillations of frontal comparison: identity, intensity, reflexivity; 9. Rigour; Conclusion.

About the author

Matei Candea is a lecturer at the University of Cambridge and a former honorary editor of the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute. He is the author of Corsican Fragments (2010), editor of The Social after Gabriel Tarde (2010) and Schools and Styles of Anthropological Theory (2018).

Summary

A comprehensive exploration of historical and current debates about anthropological comparison. Addressed to anthropologists and to students of anthropology embarking upon their own comparative projects, it will also be of interest to students and scholars in other disciplines which rely on comparative methods.

Product details

• Authors: Matei Candea, Matei (University of Cambridge) Candea, Candea Matei
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2018
• EAN: 9781108474603
• ISBN: 978-1-108-47460-3
• No. of pages: 404
• Series: New Departures in Anthropology; New Departures in Anthropology
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Ethnology > Ethnology; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Social and cultural anthropology