David Graeber, a proponent of anarchist anthropology, criticizes that some of the major value theories in anthropology is based on misinterpretation of Marcel Mauss’ Essai sur le don, and proposes a return to the basic issues raised by Mauss. This thesis intends to examine some alternative value theories to “hermeneutics of suspicion” on the basis of such discourse. Mauss’ Essai sur le don itself does not suggest a value theory. Rather value theories in anthropology throughout the 20th century can be seen as re-interpretations, either directly or indirectly, of Mauss’ theory. The issue is a return to the basic question of whether a gift is possible. This particular question stems from the definition of reciprocity that Mauss provides at the introduction of Essai sur le don. The dyadic structure that appears constantly in value theories originates from interpreting Mauss’ definition of reciprocity as possibility of gift or its impossibility. Does a gift exist outside or inside the realm of economic cycle, and is it distinguishable from other forms of commodities or is it simply a different form of commodity? Ever since “hermeneutics of suspicion” became generally accepted, the foremost premise in value theory has been the impossibility of a gift. According to Jacques Derrida, the very definition of a gift should eliminate the possibility of a return. If there is such a thing as a gift, it “should not be part of a cycle nor should it be subject to exchange.” If a gift becomes part of a cycle or is subject to an exchange, then it is no longer a gift. Therefore, terms such as gift economy or gift exchange defy the original meaning of a gift. With regard to this particular issue, Graeber points out that such an outcome is the result of defining gift exchange from an economic perspective. In addition, he suggests that at the backdrop of the insistence on the impossibility of gift lies the assumption that value is created not from ‘motive(s)’ or ‘purpose(s)’ of exchange, but is borne from exchange itself.
목차
Ⅰ. 서론 Ⅱ. 경제ㆍ언어학적 가치 Ⅲ. 오인된 상품과 상품의 사회적 삶 Ⅳ. 사회적 유대 Ⅴ. 결론 인용문헌 [Abstract]
키워드
valuehermeneutics of suspicionMarcel MaussDavid Graebergiftexchangesocial bonds
국제언어인문학회 [INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HUMANISTIC STUDIES IN LANGUAGE]
설립연도
2000
분야
인문학>언어학
소개
국제언어인문학회는 '언어를 통한 인문학 연구'의 필요성에 동감하는 여러 전공분야 학자들의 뜻을 담고 있습니다. 언어에 초점을 맞추는 것은, 다양한 전공분야의 참여에서 생겨날 수 있는 '이질적 집합'의 상황을 극복하기 위한 장치입니다. 현재로서는 작은 불씨를 지핀 것에 불과합니다. 그러나 이렇게 일구어진 불꽃이 새로운 학풍의 바람결에 커다란 섬광으로 빛나게 될 날이 올 것을 우리는 확신합니다. 우리의 학회와 학술지는 인문학 불변의 가치와 시대적 사명을 인식하는 국내외의 학자들을 향해 활짝 개방되어 있습니다. 특정 전공의 범위를 넘어서서 철학, 문학, 언어학, 종교, 역사, 문화, 예술 등의 시각에서 언어의 본질을 토론할 기회가 될 것입니다.