Evans Pritchard’s humanism and the development of anthropology

Abstract

This thesis discusses E. E. Evans-Pritchard's ideas and works, especially his humanistic orientation in social anthropology. The work has been of fundamental importance in the development of modern anthropology in Britain. Mary Douglas, one of Evans-Pritchard's pupils has already attempted a study of this kind (Douglas, M. 1980). She approached his works and life thematically, focusing particularly on his theoretical interest in "primitive mentality". Guided by Douglas’s study, this thesis traces his intellectual development chronologically from his early scientific orientation to the later humanistic program. This thesis is also a biographical study of Evans-Pritchard's anthropological work as discussed in the context of the works of his precursors and colleagues. It starts with his early anthropological period, when he was under the influence of Malinowski and Radcliffe-Brown, then discusses how Evans-Pritchard developed his own unique perspective and methods of analysis, the humanistic program, which distinguished his later work, and finally tries to make an overall evaluation of his anthropological humanism.