Marvin Harris's Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches explores the practical reasons behind seemingly bizarre cultural practices and beliefs. Harris argues that these customs, from India's cow veneration to the potlatch ceremony, are not random but rooted in material conditions and ecological factors. The book examines various cultures across different continents and time periods, analyzing the interplay between environment, technology, and social structures. Ultimately, Harris seeks to demonstrate how a focus on practical considerations provides a more comprehensive understanding of human behavior than relying on supernatural explanations.
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