Offers, on its surface, a simple theoretical argument, laid out in the titles of its mere two chapters: kinship is culture, not biology. But along the way to proving his point, the author engages an array of thinkers, from Aristotle to Emile Durkheim to Marilyn Strathern, as well as an array of ethnographic examples from around the globe.



What Kinship Is-And Is Not offers, on its surface, a simple theoretical argument, laid out in the titles of its mere two chapters: kinship is culture, not biology. But along the way to proving his point, Marshall Sahlins engages a dazzling array of thinkers, from Aristotle to Emile Durkheim to Marilyn Strathern, bolstering that conversation with an equally dazzling array of ethnographic examples from around the globe. The result is a thrilling combination of clarity and erudition almed at the heart of human relationships and their meaning.