Many anthropologists will be disposed to sympathize with him and to rejoice that he has squarely taken up the cudgel for a rigidly historical and antibiological. Superorganic definition and meaning collins english. The superorganic is another way of describing and understanding culture or the sociocultural system. But to kroeber, the superorganic was actually what made anthropology a sciencewith its subject matter being the universals and regularities of human behavior as mediated, if not completely dictated, by the forces of history and culture. To spencer, and other culturaldeterminist sociologists and philosophers like emile durkheim and auguste comte, human society is superorganic in that it exists at a higher level of complexity than physical things or biological. Alfred kroebers the superorganic is a classic of anthropological theory. The concept developed by durkheim, a social fact, is expressed in this understanding. In short, organic evolution is essentially and inevitably connected with hereditary processes. If there is nothing beyond the organic springerlink.
He received his phd under franz boas at columbia university in 1901, the first doctorate in anthropology awarded by columbia. Leave a comment on kroeber superorganico pdf however, in the theoretical sense, kroeber s biggest contribution is the re formulation of spencers concept of the superorganic which kroeber. He was also the first professor appointed to the department of anthropology at the university of california, berkeley. The university of kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. He named this cultural aspect superorganic and claimed that a society cannot be explained without considering this impersonal force. One of these pairs of ideas with which our world has been laboring for some two thousand years is expressed in the words body and soul. This theory of culture was outlined by anthropologists alfred kroeber and robert lowie during the first quarter of the twentieth century, later elaborated by leslie. Contributor jstor language english volume 19 the superorganic is an article from american anthropologist, volume 19. The superorganic mode of explanation in cultural geography rei fies the notion of. Alfred kroeber, superorganic, culture, configurations, relativism. Superorganic definition of superorganic by the free. Kroebers history was superorganic and supraindividual.
The superorganic by alfred kroeber, edited and with an introduction by alex golub. White did not accept kroebers version of the superorganic unreservedly, but. Social aspects of the superorganism concept are analysed in marshall 2002. The term superorganic was adopted by the anthropologist alfred l. There is a parallel, therefore, in the relations between the inorganic and the organic, as between the organic and the superorganic. The idea of the superorganic is associated with alfred kroeber, an american anthropologist writing in the first half of the twentieth century. The whale is not only a warmblooded mammal, but is recog. The relationship between inorganic, organic and superorganic change, from kroeber 1917a. Alfred kroeber s the superorganic is a classic of anthropological theory. Kroeber included material from the article in his textbook anthropology. For spencer, the superorganic is not a feature only of human evolution. Kroebers paper on culture as superorganic is often seen as defend ing a strong holistic. I will keep going until i complete a free anthology suitable for classroom use, or until i get suerorganico. Kroebers very interesting discussion of the superorganic pp.
This theory of culture was outlined by anthropologists alfred kroeber and robert lowie during the first quarter of the twentieth century, later elaborated by leslie white, and passed on to carl sauer and a number of his students at berkeley. On the other hand, alfred kroeber did not see individuals as the fundamental elements of a society. Kroebers the superorganic 1917 stands as the first extreme statement of cultural holism. It is some such irritation that seems to have served as the emotional impetus of dr. Culture as the superorganic when indigenous groups make clear efforts to avoid contact, it seems perfectly wuperorganic, indeed necessary, for governments kroebfr indigenous rights organizations to do all they can to. He played an integral role in the early days of its. Alfred louis kroeber june 11, 1876 october 5, 1960 was an american cultural anthropologist. Pdf alfred kroeber and the concept of the superorganic.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries. June but to kroeber, the superorganic was actually what made anthropology a science with its subject matter being the universals and regularities of human. Kroebers biggest contribution is the reformulation of spencers concept of the superorganic which kroeber used to analyze the notion of culture. The superorganic mode of explanation in cultural geography rei fies the notion of culture assigning it ontological status and causative power. Alfred kroeber and the concept of the superorganic issues in.
Abstract the superorganic mode of explanation in cultural geography reifies the nation of culture assigning it ontological status and causative power. However, in the theoretical sense, kroebers biggest contribution is the reformulation of spencers concept of the superorganic which kroeber used to analyze the notion of culture. This occasional paper includes sapir and goldenweisers responses. Superorganic another name for culture or society by phil bartle, phd training handout compare with inorganic and organic.
Alfred louis kroeber was an american cultural anthropologist. The term superorganic was probably first used by the early sociologist herbert spencer in the late 19th century, in contrast to inorganicor organic. Race, language, culture, psychology, and prehistory. He believed a society evolves according to its own internal laws that do not directly originate from its individuals. Publication date 19170401 publisher american anthropologist. Kroeber occupies several positions here, and the loose ends in this section of his argument would be taken up by future thinkers. Since language is a cultural phenomenon, similar units should be discoverable in other aspects of. The term was introduced by herbert spencer, and his choice of this term reflects his view that evolution must be viewed as a transformation that has taken place in three realms. The superorganic, or kroebers hidden agenda michel. The superorganic by alfred louis kroeber goodreads. Superorganic article about superorganic by the free. Originally published in 1917 in american anthropologist, the article drew important responses from edward sapir and alexander goldenweiser. The superorganic, or kroebers hidden agenda michel verdon.
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