Kibbutz Democracy and Generational Conflict
1995
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Author:
T.M.S. Evens
Beginning with a discussion of mind-body dualism in social anthropology, Evens presents a profound theory of human conduct that deploys notions of hierarchy and practice. He uses the case study of an Israeli kibbutz to address the central anthropological problem of rationality. Of particular interest is Evens's interpretation of the Genesis myth, along with his reading of Rousseau's revision of this myth, as a paradigm of generational conflict and the kibbutz's logic of moral order.
Beginning with a discussion of mind-body dualism in social anthropology, Evens presents a profound theory of human conduct that deploys notions of hierarchy and practice. He uses the case study of an Israeli kibbutz to address the central anthropological problem of rationality. Of particular interest is Evens's interpretation of the Genesis myth, along with his reading of Rousseau's revision of this myth, as a paradigm of generational conflict and the kibbutz's logic of moral order.
“Masterful. . . Evens sustains a highly disciplined argument with broad theoretical implications outside anthropology as well as in it. Two Kinds of Rationality is in many ways not an anthropological text but, rather, a theoretical treatise with deep roots in philosophy and the self-imposed task of providing a social theory/theory of social action as abstract and powerful in magnitude as Jurgen Habermas' theory of communicative rationality, Pierre Bourdieu's theory of practice, or Charles Taylor's theory of 'the self’.” Virginia Dominguez, University of California, Santa Cruz
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Beginning with a discussion of mind-body dualism in social anthropology, Evens presents a profound theory of human conduct that deploys notions of hierarchy and practice. He uses the case study of an Israeli kibbutz to address the central anthropological problem of rationality.
Of particular interest is Evens's interpretation of the Genesis myth, as well as his reading of Rousseau's revision of this myth, as paradigms of generational conflict and the kibbutz's logic of moral order. These interpretations are tied to Evens's detailed discussion of a controversial attempt to introduce secret balloting into a particular kibbutz's directly democratic process.
Two Kinds of Rationality distinguishes between instrumental and mythic rationality, picturing the latter as a value rationality. Projecting reality as basically ambiguous, Evens offers a critique of theoretical approaches to social action and a rethinking of contemporary notions of human agency. This revolutionary theoretical work will appeal to social and political theorists, anthropologists, and students of cultural studies, social movements, and Jewish studies.
T. M. S. Evens is professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is the author of numerous articles and coeditor of Transcendence in Society: Case Studies (1990), a comparative study of social movements.
$50.00 paper ISBN 978-0-8166-2643-4
272 pages, 5.875x9, 1995
T.M.S. Evens is professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is the author of numerous articles and coeditor of Transcendence in Society: Case Studies (1990), a comparative study of social movements.
“Masterful. . . Evens sustains a highly disciplined argument with broad theoretical implications outside anthropology as well as in it. Two Kinds of Rationality is in many ways not an anthropological text but, rather, a theoretical treatise with deep roots in philosophy and the self-imposed task of providing a social theory/theory of social action as abstract and powerful in magnitude as Jurgen Habermas' theory of communicative rationality, Pierre Bourdieu's theory of practice, or Charles Taylor's theory of 'the self’.” Virginia Dominguez, University of California, Santa Cruz
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As an anthropological enthusiast and expert, I bring to your attention a fascinating work titled "Two Kinds of Rationality" by T.M.S. Evens, a professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Published in 1995, this book presents a profound theory of human conduct, rooted in discussions of mind-body dualism in social anthropology.
Evens utilizes the case study of an Israeli kibbutz to delve into the central anthropological problem of rationality. What sets this work apart is Evens's exploration of the Genesis myth and Rousseau's revision of this myth as paradigms of generational conflict and the kibbutz's logic of moral order. The author skillfully weaves these interpretations into a broader discussion of a controversial attempt to introduce secret balloting into a kibbutz's directly democratic process.
The book distinguishes between instrumental and mythic rationality, portraying the latter as a form of value rationality. This distinction is crucial in understanding the complex dynamics of human behavior within social structures. Evens challenges existing theoretical approaches to social action and offers a profound rethinking of contemporary notions of human agency.
Noteworthy is the praise from Virginia Dominguez, a scholar at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who describes the work as "Masterful" and notes its broad theoretical implications, extending beyond anthropology into philosophy. She draws parallels with the magnitude of Jurgen Habermas' theory of communicative rationality, Pierre Bourdieu's theory of practice, and Charles Taylor's theory of 'the self.'
T.M.S. Evens's academic background includes being the author of numerous articles and coeditor of "Transcendence in Society: Case Studies" (1990), a comparative study of social movements. This extensive experience adds credibility to his theoretical treatise.
For those interested in sociology, political science, social and political theory, anthropology, and cultural studies, "Two Kinds of Rationality" offers a revolutionary perspective. The book is available in paperback, priced at $50.00, with an ISBN of 978-0-8166-2643-4, spanning 272 pages at a size of 5.875x9.
In conclusion, T.M.S. Evens's work stands as a profound exploration of human conduct and rationality, making a significant contribution to anthropological and philosophical discourse. The interdisciplinary nature of the book, touching on sociology, political science, and cultural studies, reflects the depth and breadth of the author's expertise.
