The Gods of Context
Abstract
This chapter examines how early British social anthropology developed formal approaches to context that paralleled Wittgenstein’s logical contextualism. It focuses on Radcliffe-Brown’s structural-functionalism and its similarities to Tractarian logic, while contrasting this with Malinowski’s more fluid approach. Through examination of the Cambridge School of anthropology and its influence, the chapter demonstrates how a particular culture of context emerged in early anthropology that privileged formal, logical structure.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Anthropological Studies and Insights
Anthropology: Ethics
History
Culture
Emile Durkheim and Sociology
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Pages
- 63–92
- Publication date
- 26 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter