Explaining Human Origins: Myth, Imagination and Conjecture

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Explaining Human Origins: Myth, Imagination and Conjecture
By Wiktor Stoczkowski


Publisher:  Cambridge University Press
Number Of Pages:  244
Publication Date:  2002-07-22
Sales Rank:  1674526
ISBN / ASIN:  052165730X
EAN:  9780521657303
Binding:  Paperback
Manufacturer:  Cambridge University Press
Studio:  Cambridge University Press
Average Rating:  5
Total Reviews:  1



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Book Description:

The author argues that theories of human origins developed by archaeologists and physical anthropologists from the early nineteenth century to the present day are structurally similar to Western folk theories, and to the speculations of earlier philosophers. Reviewing a remarkable range of thinkers writing in a variety of European languages, he criticizes the lack of development in theories of human origins, but concludes optimistically that the power of the scientific approach will deliver more reliable theories--only if it is conscious of the baggage it carries over from popular discourse.



Download Description:

Wiktor Stoczkowski, a palaeo-anthropologist, argues that the theories of human origins developed by archaeologists and physical anthropologists from the early nineteenth century to the present day are structurally similar to Western folk theories, and to the speculations of earlier philosophers. Reviewing a remarkable range of thinkers writing in a variety of European languages, he makes a convincing argument for this case. Even though the book criticises the lack of development in theories of human origins, its conclusion is optimistic about the power of the scientific approach to deliver more reliable theories - but only if the influences of popular discourse on its thinking are properly identified.

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