Claude Lévi-Strauss: The Poet in the Laboratory - Patrick Wilcken

A Biography of the Father of Structural Anthropology

Claude Lévi-Strauss is one of the most important and influential thinkers of the twentieth century. His work has had a profound impact on the fields of anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and literary criticism. In this magisterial biography, Patrick Wilcken provides a comprehensive and insightful account of Lévi-Strauss's life and work.

The Early Years

Claude Lévi-Strauss was born in Brussels, Belgium, in 1908. His father was a rabbi, and his mother was a painter. Lévi-Strauss showed an early aptitude for languages and mathematics, and he went on to study law and philosophy at the University of Paris.

The Fieldwork Years

After completing his studies, Lévi-Strauss traveled to Brazil to conduct fieldwork among the Nambikwara Indians. This experience had a profound impact on Lévi-Strauss, and it led him to develop his theory of structural anthropology.

Structural Anthropology

Structural anthropology is a method of studying human culture that focuses on the underlying structures that give meaning to social behavior. Lévi-Strauss argued that these structures are not simply the product of individual minds, but rather that they are shared by all members of a society.

The Elementary Structures of Kinship

Lévi-Strauss's most famous work is The Elementary Structures of Kinship, which was published in 1949. In this book, Lévi-Strauss argued that the incest taboo is a universal feature of human culture, and that it serves to regulate social relations.

The Savage Mind

In The Savage Mind, which was published in 1962, Lévi-Strauss argued that there is no fundamental difference between the thought processes of "primitive" and "civilized" people. He argued that all human beings share a common cognitive structure, which he called the "savage mind."

The Later Years

Lévi-Strauss continued to write and publish until his death in 2009. His work has been translated into more than thirty languages, and he has received numerous awards and honors. He is considered to be one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century.

Why You Should Read This Book

Claude Lévi-Strauss: The Poet in the Laboratory is a fascinating and insightful biography of one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. Wilcken's book is a must-read for anyone interested in anthropology, sociology, philosophy, or literary criticism.

Conclusion

Claude Lévi-Strauss was a brilliant and original thinker who made a profound impact on the intellectual landscape of the twentieth century. His work continues to be read and studied by scholars around the world, and it will continue to inspire new generations of thinkers for years to come.