Payback: The Logic of Retribution in Melanesian Religions (Paperback)

Garry W. Trompf

ISBN 10: 0521062772 / ISBN 13: 9780521062770

Edité par Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008

A propos de cet article

Paperback. Near to the heart of the human predicament are impulses to avenge - what most of us will recognize to be negative, counterproductive reactions against others who pose a threat. By contrast, nothing re-establishes our faith in humanity more than extraordinary acts of concession, such as peace-making, generosity and sacrifice. In this study Garry Trompf shows how various aspects of 'payback', both negative and positive, provide the best indices to an understanding of Melanesian views of life. The book explores the reasons why people 'pay back' and opens up a whole dimension in the cross-cultural study of human consciousness. The author conducts his readers through the most complex anthropological pageant on earth, illustrating his arguments from western New Guinea to Fiji. In this ambitious study, the first monograph on religion and "the logic of retribution," Professor Trompf shows how various aspects of "payback," both negative and positive, provide the best indices to an understanding of Melanesian views of life. The book explores the reasons why people "pay back" and opens up a whole new dimension in the cross-cultural study of human consciousness. The author conducts his readers through the most complex anthropological pageant on earth, illustrating his arguments from western New Guinea to Fiji. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. N° de réf. du vendeur 9780521062770

Détails bibliographiques

Titre : Payback: The Logic of Retribution in ...

Éditeur : Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Date d'édition : 2008

Reliure : Paperback

Etat : new

Edition : Edition originale

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis :

In this study Garry Trompf shows how various aspects of 'payback', both negative and positive, provide the best indices to an understanding of Melanesian views of life.

Présentation de l'éditeur:

Near to the heart of the human predicament are impulses to avenge - what most of us will recognize to be negative, counterproductive reactions against others who pose a threat. By contrast, nothing re-establishes our faith in humanity more than extraordinary acts of concession, such as peace-making, generosity and sacrifice. In this study Garry Trompf shows how various aspects of 'payback', both negative and positive, provide the best indices to an understanding of Melanesian views of life. The book explores the reasons why people 'pay back' and opens up a whole dimension in the cross-cultural study of human consciousness. The author conducts his readers through the most complex anthropological pageant on earth, illustrating his arguments from western New Guinea to Fiji.