Marcel Mauss
A nephew of Émile Durkheim, known for his work on the 'gift economy' and the concept of the 'total social phenomenon'.
Quotes by Marcel Mauss
Every society has its own way of defining and constructing the individual.
The study of primitive societies can illuminate the foundations of our own.
Anthropology is not just about exotic cultures, but about understanding humanity.
The social fact is always a moral fact.
Solidarity is the foundation of all social life.
The collective effervescence is a powerful force in social life.
Myth is not a lie, but a way of understanding the world.
Ritual is a dramatization of social values.
The sacred and the profane are two distinct categories of human experience.
The study of language is essential for understanding society.
Words are not just symbols, but social forces.
The social world is a world of meanings.
Every society has its own way of classifying the world.
The categories of thought are social in origin.
The individual consciousness is shaped by the collective consciousness.
The study of social morphology is crucial for understanding social life.
Social institutions are not arbitrary, but have deep roots in human nature and society.
The state is a social institution, not a natural one.
Law is a reflection of social norms and values.
Economics is a social science, not just a study of markets.