세 부족의 문화를 비교 연구한 인류학자의 따뜻한 시선! 루스 베네딕트의 문화의 패턴, 청소년추천도서, 인류학, 정상과 비정상, 부족사회

Summary

In this video, Professor Lee Hyun-jung from Seoul National University's Department of Anthropology discusses Ruth Benedict's influential work *Patterns of Culture*. The book, first published in 1934, challenges social evolutionism and emphasizes cultural relativism. Benedict examines the uniqueness of different cultures by studying tribes like the Zuni, Kwakiutl, and Dobu. Through a comparison of their customs, she highlights how cultural patterns shape societies. The video also delves into Benedict's ideas on individuality, cultural understanding, and the importance of embracing diversity in our own society.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ruth Benedict's 'Patterns of Culture' emphasizes cultural relativism, encouraging understanding and tolerance of different cultural practices.
• 😀 The book critiques social evolutionism, which suggested a hierarchy of cultures, with Western societies at the top, and promotes the idea that all cultures evolve uniquely.
• 😀 Benedict, influenced by Franz Boas, rejects the idea that all societies progress in a linear, universal manner.
• 😀 The book examines three different cultures: the Zuni, Kwakiutl, and Dobu, with a focus on their unique societal patterns.
• 😀 Benedict introduces the concept of 'cultural patterns,' arguing that the integration of various societal elements forms a unique and cohesive cultural structure.
• 😀 Using Nietzsche's concepts of Dionysian and Apollonian, Benedict contrasts cultures by examining their extremes: Dionysian cultures seek chaos and excess, while Apollonian cultures value order and moderation.
• 😀 The Zuni people, as an example of an Apollonian society, adhere to moderate behaviors and avoid conflict or excess, even in personal matters like marriage and divorce.
• 😀 In contrast, the Kwakiutl people exemplify Dionysian behavior, showcasing excess and competition through practices like the potlatch, where wealth is displayed and destroyed to assert superiority.
• 😀 Benedict's work challenges the idea of a 'normal' human behavior, suggesting that what is considered abnormal in one culture may be entirely normal in another.
• 😀 Benedict’s exploration of these cultural patterns remains relevant today, urging us to recognize cultural diversity and reject ethnocentrism in favor of tolerance and understanding.

Q & A

What is cultural relativism and why is it important in Ruth Benedict's work?

Cultural relativism is the idea that cultural practices and beliefs should be understood within their own context, without imposing judgments based on the standards of another culture. This is central to Benedict's work, as she emphasizes that each culture has its unique values and should be studied and appreciated within its own framework.

How does Ruth Benedict challenge social evolutionism in her work?

Benedict challenges social evolutionism by rejecting the idea that cultures evolve in a linear progression, with Western cultures at the top. Instead, she advocates for understanding each culture as distinct, shaped by its historical context and not by a universal evolutionary path.

What are the key cultural examples Ruth Benedict uses in *The Patterns of Culture*?

Benedict uses three key cultural examples: the Zuni of New Mexico, the Kwakiutl of the Pacific Northwest, and the Dobu of Oceania. These cultures illustrate her thesis that each culture follows its own distinctive pattern of behavior and values.

What is the significance of Nietzsche's concept of the Dionysian and Apollonian in Benedict's work?

Benedict borrows Nietzsche's concepts of the Dionysian (excess, chaos, breaking norms) and the Apollonian (moderation, order, rationality) to describe the cultural patterns she observes. The Zuni represent the Apollonian, while the Kwakiutl represent the Dionysian, highlighting how cultural values shape behaviors and societal structures.

Why does Ruth Benedict emphasize the need to understand cultural patterns as a whole?

Benedict emphasizes this because a culture’s practices and values cannot be fully understood in isolation. Each cultural element is part of a larger system, and understanding the interconnectedness of customs and beliefs is essential for grasping the unique logic of any culture.

What does Benedict mean by 'patterns of culture'?

By 'patterns of culture,' Benedict refers to the consistent and coherent systems of values, norms, and practices that shape how people within a society live and interact. These patterns are unique to each culture and help define its identity.

How does Benedict's view of culture differ from the social evolutionist perspective?

While social evolutionism sees cultures as progressing through fixed stages, with Western society at the pinnacle, Benedict rejects this view. She believes that cultures should be understood on their own terms, as unique entities that develop in response to specific historical, geographical, and social conditions.

What role does Franz Boas play in Benedict's anthropological perspective?

Franz Boas, Benedict's mentor, is a key influence on her anthropological perspective. Boas was a leading figure in promoting cultural relativism and rejecting the idea of a universal culture progression. His work on cultural particularism greatly shaped Benedict's approach to studying cultures.

How do the Zuni and Kwakiutl cultures differ in their social organization and values?

The Zuni are described as an Apollonian society, where social harmony, order, and moderation are emphasized. In contrast, the Kwakiutl are a Dionysian culture, known for their focus on excess, competition, and dramatic displays of wealth, such as through Potlatch ceremonies.

What impact did Ruth Benedict's *Patterns of Culture* have on the field of anthropology?

Benedict’s *Patterns of Culture* had a profound impact on anthropology by promoting cultural relativism and encouraging anthropologists to focus on understanding cultures in their own context, rather than judging them by external standards. Her comparative approach also influenced later anthropological methods and theories.