Abstract
SOUTH American peoples have received inadequate attention from ethnologists, and the number of studies of their culture which are of substantial and permanent value is surprisingly small. On this ground alone, Dr. Karsten's book would be welcome as a record of observed fact; but in addition he is an original thinker whose work must receive consideration as a contribution to theory in social anthropology, whatever may be our ultimate judgment as to the validity of his conclusions when given extended application. In a preface contributed by Dr. E. Westermarek, this distinguished authority says: “Dr. Karsten's book is the most important contribution to the study of certain aspects of the South American native civilization which has yet appeared.” The weight of this dictum is indeed increased by the fact that for some pages he then goes on to argue against views put forward by Dr. Karsten in criticism of his own conclusions.
The Civilization of the South American Indians: with Special Reference to Magic and Religion.
By Prof. Rafael Karsten. (The History of Civilization Series.) Pp. xxxii + 540. (London: Kegan Paul and Co., Ltd.; New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1926.) 25s. net.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Civilization of the South American Indians: with Special Reference to Magic and Religion . Nature 119, 921 (1927). https://doi.org/10.1038/119921a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/119921a0