On the Order of Chaos: Social Anthropology and the Science of Chaos

Published by Berghahn Books 2005

On the Order of Chaos

Social Anthropology and the Science of Chaos

Edited by: Mark S. Mosko and Fred Damon

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781800735187

Overview
Contents

About this book

Over the past two decades, “chaos theory” – the perception of order previously hidden in phenomena of apparent randomness and disorder – has fundamentally transformed the natural sciences. In recent years, numerous scholars in the social sciences and humanities have attempted to adapt the insights of chaos theory to their studies of human cultural and social systems. Several of the world’s leading anthropologists, such as Roy Wagner, Marshall Sahlins, Marilyn Strathern, and Arjun Appadurai – have similarly drawn upon particular elements of chaos theory for their inspiration, but as yet there is no focused, comprehensive treatment of the applicability of chaos theory to anthropology’s distinctive ethnographic and cross-cultural materials. This edited volume fills the gap, with both accessible theoretical discussions of chaos theory applications in anthropology and detailed ethnographic and historical illustrations from Africa and Melanesia.

Author / Editor information

Mark S. Mosko is Professor of Anthropology in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University.

Fred Damon is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Virginia.

Mark S. Mosko is Professor of Anthropology in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University.

Reviews

“Through a sequence of theoretically stimulating and ethnographically diverse contributions, the volume engages with ‘chaos models’ developed by mathematicians and natural scientists studying complex dynamic systems.” · Anthropological Forum

"I have rarely seen such an excellent collection of articles. And it cannot be more timely. Within the covers of this volume we find some of the most original and brightest minds in anthropology today…this is a truly unique volume that will make a major and original contribution to anthropology and far beyond." · Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	v
FIGURES AND TABLES Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	x
PROLOGUE Marilyn Strathern Publicly Available Download PDF	xii
1 INTRODUCTION: A (RE)TURN TO CHAOS Chaos Theory, the Sciences, and Social Anthropological Theory Mark S. Mosko Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2 FROM LÉVI-STRAUSS TO CHAOS AND COMPLEXITY Jack Morava Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	47
3 FRACTAL FIGURATIONS Homologies and Hierarchies in Kabre Culture Charles Piot Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	64
4 “PITY” AND “ECSTASY” The Problem of Order and Differentiated Difference Across Kula Societies Frederick H. Damon Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	79
5 FRACTALITY AND THE EXCHANGE OF PERSPECTIVES José Antonio Kelly Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	108
6 FLUIDS AND FRACTALS IN RWANDA Order and Chaos Christopher C. Taylor Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	136
7 PEACE, WAR, SEX, AND SORCERY Nonlinear Analogical Transformation in the Early Escalation of North Mekeo Sorcery and Chiefly Practice Mark S. Mosko Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	166
8 AFTERWORD Order is What Happens When Chaos Loses Its Temper Roy Wagner Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	206
BIBLIOGRAPHY Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	249
CONTRIBUTORS Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	268
INDEX Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	271

Language: English
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 296
Keywords: Theory and Methodology; Sociology

eBook

Published: October 1, 2005
ISBN: 9781800735187