About the Book
Leading anthropologist Thomas Hylland Eriksen shows how anthropology is a revolutionary way of thinking about the human world. Perfect for students, but also for those who have never encountered anthropology before, this book explores the key issues in an exciting and innovative way.
Lucid and accessible, What is Anthropology? draws examples from current affairs as well as previous anthropological studies. Eriksen looks at the history of anthropology, its unique research methods and some of its central concepts, such as society, culture and translation.
This second edition contains a new introduction, as well as updates throughout. New content includes discussions about Brexit, the rise of the populist Right in Europe, the anthropology of climate change and social media. What is Anthropology? shows in persuasive ways why anthropology is a fundamental intellectual discipline, perhaps more so in the twenty-first century than ever before.
Contents
Part 1: Entrances
• Why Anthropology?
• Key Concepts
• Ethnography
• Theories
Part 2: Fields
• Reciprocity
• Kinship
• Nature
• Thought
• Social Identity
About the Author / Editor
Thomas Hylland Eriksen is Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Oslo. He is the author of many books including Small Places, Large Issues and A History of Anthropology.
