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Civilisation Recast

Theoretical and Historical Perspectives

Stephan Feuchtwang author Michael Rowlands author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:20th Oct '22

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Civilisation Recast cover

Shows what humanity has borrowed and shared as a common heritage.

Civilisation is a debated concept. Is it indelibly associated with the prerogatives of the 'West', colonial histories or, as is emerging, a new global politics? How do we understand these new forms of identity politics and claims to possessing long-term histories? The book is intended for courses in humanities and social science.Civilisation is a debated concept and is often associated with the prerogatives of the 'West', colonial histories, and even emerging global politics. In this book, Stephen Feuchtwang and Michael Rowlands use the examples of Africa and China to provide a new conceptualisation that challenges traditional notions of 'civilisation'. They explain how to understand duration and continuity as long-term processes of transformation. Civilisations are best seen as practices of feeding and hospitality, of rituals and manners of living and dying, of entering the portals into the invisible world that surrounds and encompasses us, of healing and the knowledge of the encompassing universe and its powers, including its ghosts and demons. Civilisations furnish the moral ideals for people to live by and aspire to and they are changed more by the actions of disappointed grassroots and their little traditions than by their ruling authorities. Just as they revitalise and change their civilisations, this book revitalises and changes the way to think about civilisations in the humanities, the historical and the social sciences.

'This short but persuasive study is the product of two erudite scholars writing boldly in the late years of their careers. It is well organized and easy to follow, presenting anthropological theory in a clear and accessible manner. It also bridges conversations across different fields, which makes this volume a great candidate for introductory and interdisciplinary courses.' A. Ponce de Leon, Choice

ISBN: 9781108706186

Dimensions: 228mm x 151mm x 12mm

Weight: 340g

224 pages