The Category of the Person: Anthropology, Philosophy, History

A very good hardcover copy of "The Category of the Person: Anthropology, Philosophy, History" published by Cambridge University Press in 1985. This volume does not include a dust jacket. This scholarly work explores the concept of the 'person' – one of humanity's most intimate notions – examining how it varies across time and space. Featuring contributions from anthropologists, philosophers, and historians, the book delves into the idea of the person in diverse cultures, both ancient and modern. Taking inspiration from Marcel Mauss's 1938 lecture on the person as a category of the human mind, the contributors critically evaluate his theory that notions of personhood are deeply rooted in complex social and ideological origins rather than being purely philosophical or psychological. Through fascinating descriptions of societies ranging from ancient Greece, India, and China to modern Africa and Papua New Guinea, the authors illuminate how different cultures define the person. Beyond these specific cases, the book addresses profound theoretical questions: What aspects of human thinking about the person are universal, and what is culturally determined? How can these variations be understood? Has there been a linear progression toward the contemporary Western view of the person, and what distinguishes it? How do one's own ideas of the person influence the comprehension of alternative formulations? These compelling questions make this book essential reading for anthropologists, philosophers, historians, psychologists, sociologists, orientalists, and classicists, appealing to anyone interested in a fundamental aspect of human existence.

• Author: Carrithers, Michael; Collins, Steven; Lukes, Steven
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 1985
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• ISBN: 9780521259095