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Nature and Society in Social Anthropology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Ernest Gellner
Ernest Gellner*
Affiliation:
The London School of Economics and Political Science
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Abstract

This article is concerned to argue that the social sciences and notably social anthropology, must necessarily be concerned with the physical environment of the societies investigated (which includes the biological nature of its members), and not only with the social reality which is at the centre of their concern. This is argued with special reference to fields such as kinship and politics, and to social relationships such as paternity or feuding. The article is concerned to refute arguments put forward in support of the logical autonomy of social studies, particularly in the sphere of kinship, in earlier articles by Barnes and Needham.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 30 , Issue 3 , July 1963 , pp. 236 - 251
Copyright
Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1963

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References

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