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Two Countries, Four Decades, One Anthropologist: The Jerusalem Harvard Lectures

Gil Turner

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Published in After The Fact: Two Countries Four Decades One Anthropologist (The Jerusalem Harvard Lectures 5)

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In the fall of 1978, Clifford Geertz delivered a series of lectures at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. These lectures, later published as The Interpretation of Cultures, have become a classic work of anthropology. In them, Geertz argues that culture is not something that can be objectively observed, but rather something that is created and interpreted by the people who live within it. He also stresses the importance of understanding the local context of any culture before attempting to interpret it.

Four decades later, Geertz's lectures are still relevant to the study of culture. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, it is more important than ever to understand the different ways that people make sense of their world. Geertz's work provides a valuable framework for understanding these different ways of thinking, and for fostering dialogue between different cultures.

After the Fact: Two Countries Four Decades One Anthropologist (The Jerusalem Harvard Lectures 5)

After the Fact: Two Countries, Four Decades, One Anthropologist (The Jerusalem-Harvard Lectures Book 5)

by Holger Schutkowski

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1983 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	208 pages

The Lectures

Geertz's lectures were divided into three parts. In the first part, he discussed the concept of culture. He argued that culture is not a static thing, but rather something that is constantly being created and recreated by the people who live within it. He also stressed the importance of understanding the local context of any culture before attempting to interpret it.

In the second part of his lectures, Geertz discussed the relationship between culture and religion. He argued that religion is a powerful force in human life, and that it can shape the way that people think about the world and their place in it. He also stressed the importance of understanding the different ways that people experience religion.

In the third part of his lectures, Geertz discussed the relationship between culture and politics. He argued that politics is a powerful force in human life, and that it can shape the way that people organize their lives and interact with each other. He also stressed the importance of understanding the different ways that people experience politics.

The Legacy of the Lectures

Geertz's lectures have had a profound impact on the study of culture. They have helped to shift the focus of anthropology away from the study of exotic societies towards the study of everyday life. They have also helped to emphasize the importance of understanding the local context of any culture before attempting to interpret it.

Geertz's work has also been influential in other fields, such as sociology, psychology, and literary criticism. He has been praised for his insights into human nature and for his ability to write about complex ideas in a clear and engaging way.

Clifford Geertz was one of the most influential anthropologists of the 20th century. His work has had a profound impact on the study of culture, and it continues to be relevant today. His lectures at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are a classic work of anthropology, and they provide a valuable framework for understanding the different ways that people make sense of their world.