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In this chapter I propose to say something, firstly, about the ideal scope of anthropology; secondly, about its ideal limitations; and, thirdly and lastly, about its actual relations to existing studies. In other words, I shall examine the extent of its claim, and then go on to examine how that claim, under modern conditions of science and education, is to be made good. Firstly, then, what is the ideal scope of anthropology? Taken at its fullest and best, what ought it to comprise? Anthropology is the whole history of man as fired and pervaded by the idea of evolution. Man in evolution-that is the subject in its full reach. Anthropology studies man as he occurs at all known times. It studies him as he occurs in all known parts of the world. It studies him body and soul together-as a bodily organism, subject to conditions operating in time and space, which bodily organism is in intimate relation with a soul-life, also subject to those same conditions. Having an eye to such conditions from first to last, it seeks to plot out the general series of the changes, bodily and mental together, undergone by man in the course of his history. Its business is simply to describe. But, without exceeding the limits of its scope, it can and must proceed from the particular to the general; aiming at nothing less than a descriptive formula that shall sum up the whole series of changes in which the evolution of man consists.

Anthropology: Large Print By R. R. (Robert Ranulph) Marett In this chapter I propose to say something, firstly, about the ideal scope of anthropology; secondly, about its ideal limitations; and, thirdly and lastly, about its actual relations to existing studies. In other words, I shall examine the extent of its claim, and then go on to examine how that claim, under modern conditions of science and education, is to be made good. Firstly, then, what is the ideal scope of anthropology? Taken at its fullest and best, what ought it to comprise? Anthropology is the whole history of man as fired and pervaded by the idea of evolution. Man in evolution-that is the subject in its full reach. Anthropology studies man as he occurs at all known times. It studies him as he occurs in all known parts of the world. It studies him body and soul together-as a bodily organism, subject to conditions operating in time and space, which bodily organism is in intimate relation with a soul-life, also subject to those same conditions. Having an eye to such conditions from first to last, it seeks to plot out the general series of the changes, bodily and mental together, undergone by man in the course of his history. Its business is simply to describe. But, without exceeding the limits of its scope, it can and must proceed from the particular to the general; aiming at nothing less than a descriptive formula that shall sum up the whole series of changes in which the evolution of man consists. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

Anthropology by R. R. (Robert Ranulph) Marett In this chapter I propose to say something, firstly, about the ideal scope of anthropology; secondly, about its ideal limitations; and, thirdly and lastly, about its actual relations to existing studies. In other words, I shall examine the extent of its claim, and then go on to examine how that claim, under modern conditions of science and education, is to be made good. Firstly, then, what is the ideal scope of anthropology? Taken at its fullest and best, what ought it to comprise? Anthropology is the whole history of man as fired and pervaded by the idea of evolution. Man in evolution-that is the subject in its full reach. Anthropology studies man as he occurs at all known times. It studies him as he occurs in all known parts of the world. It studies him body and soul together-as a bodily organism, subject to conditions operating in time and space, which bodily organism is in intimate relation with a soul-life, also subject to those same conditions. Having an eye to such conditions from first to last, it seeks to plot out the general series of the changes, bodily and mental together, undergone by man in the course of his history. Its business is simply to describe. But, without exceeding the limits of its scope, it can and must proceed from the particular to the general; aiming at nothing less than a descriptive formula that shall sum up the whole series of changes in which the evolution of man consists. That will do, perhaps, as a short account of the ideal scope of anthropology. Being short, it is bound to be rather formal and colourless. To put some body into it, however, it is necessary to breathe but a single word. That word is: Darwin. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

This is a new release of the original 1932 edition.

In "Anthropology," R. R. Marett meticulously explores the multifaceted dimensions of human societies through an anthropological lens, presenting a nuanced examination of cultural evolution, social structures, and the interplay between environment and human behavior. Employing a rich narrative style interwoven with ethnographic examples, Marett's work situates itself within the broader context of early 20th-century anthropology, challenging prevailing notions with his assertive yet accessible prose. This scholarly text balances theoretical discourse with practical observation, inviting readers to reconsider the foundations of anthropological study while providing a critical analysis that resonates with contemporaneous debates in cultural theory. R. R. Marett, a pioneer of modern anthropology, was notably influenced by his own diverse experiences and academic rigor, which inform the depth and breadth of his observations in this book. His extensive travels and interactions with a variety of cultures imbue his writing with authenticity, while his academic background builds a comprehensive framework for understanding the dynamics at play in human societies. His work serves as a bridge between traditional anthropological thought and innovative contemporary theories, reflecting an intellectual lineage that contributes to his authoritative voice. I recommend "Anthropology" to scholars, students, and general readers alike seeking profound insights into the human condition. Marett'Äôs ability to distill complex ideas into engaging narratives makes this book both an essential reference and a riveting read, encouraging critical thought and dialogue about the ways we understand ourselves and others in an increasingly interconnected world.