20th century Quote by Clifford Geertz
“It's always amusing to look at how something early in the 20th century was written in anthropology and how it's written now. There's been an enormous shift in how it's done, but yet you can't put your finger on someone who actually did it”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Interpretation of Cultures, 1973
The quote observes that anthropological writing has dramatically changed over the past century, yet the precise source of the shift is hard to pinpoint.
In simple terms: Anthropology’s style evolved, but its exact catalyst is unclear.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and study the evolution of scholarly discourse.
Themes
anthropology
writing
historical change
scholarship
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- academic curricula
- research methodology
- publishing standards
- peer review
Key Concepts
cultural analysis
disciplinary evolution
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors have driven changes in academic writing?
- How can we trace subtle shifts in disciplinary language?
A Different Perspective
The change may be due to broader social and technological forces rather than a single individual.
![“[Culture] denotes an historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in symbols, a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms, by means of which men communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life.” quote by Clifford Geertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/53a/clifford-geertz-11500_attitude_culture-denotes-an-historically-transmit_747021.jpg)
