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The Anthropology of Evil

By David Parkin

The Anthropology of Evil

By David Parkin

- Default Title
Description
Evil may be said to be shadowy, mysterious, covert, and associated with night, darkness, secrecy. It is a force acting to destroy the integrity, happiness and welfare of 'normal' society. It is at once the cause and the explanation of misfortune, of the wretchedness of human existence, and of our own individual wrongdoing. That, at any rate, is substantially the western Christianity (and pre-Christian) view. Yet the different societies have opted for very different sets of explanations, which have themselves evolved in radically contrasting ways. There are societies, for example, in which there is no concept of evil. The Anthropology of Evil discusses the problem in the context of different societies and religions- Christian, Confucian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim for example. It also provides unusual perspectives on questions such as the nature of innocence, the root of evil, the notion of individual malevolence and even whether God is evil. Much has bee written on evil, notably by historians, theologians and philosophers but very little by anthropologists: this book shows how distinctive and revealing their contribution can be.
Product details
Binding:
Paperback
Edition:
1
Number of Pages:
288
Release Date:
1987-01-29
Publication Date:
1987-03-01
Publisher:
Blackwell Publishers
Languages:
Original: English
ISBN10:
0631154329
ISBN13:
9780631154327
GPSR Manufacturer Reference:
[email protected]
Weight:
471 g
Height:
152 cm
Width:
229 cm
Thickness:
17 cm
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