Interpretive anthropologists such as Clifford Geertz approach the study of culture as
A) a diachronic phenomenon.
B) functional puzzles.
C) a system of meaning.
D) underlying sets of rules that must be deciphered through the analysis of cultural patterns.
E) distinct from human psychology.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Interpretive anthropologists, such as Clifford Geertz, approach the study of culture as a system of meaning. They believe that culture is not simply a set of observable behaviors or practices, but rather a complex web of symbols, values, and beliefs that inform social behavior and communication. As such, the interpretive approach emphasizes the importance of understanding how different cultural groups construct and interpret their worlds, and how these meanings shape social relationships and power dynamics.

Interpretive Anthropologists Such as Clifford Geertz Approach the Study of Culture