Sherry Ortner

Is there an ultimate, universal, and irreducible level of male dominance in human society?

The secondary status of women, relative to men, in every known society is one of the most profound and enduring puzzles of human civilization.

Women are seen as closer to nature than men, and therefore, in a cultural system that values culture over nature, women are devalued.

The 'nature' of women is seen as more biological, more tied to reproduction and the body, while men are seen as more cultural, more tied to transcendence and the mind.

Culture is, in this sense, the process of overcoming, or at least transforming, nature.

The universal devaluation of women is not a result of biology, but of cultural interpretation of biology.

The problem is not to explain why women are universally subordinate, but to explain why they are universally seen as closer to nature.

Practice theory is an attempt to bridge the gap between structure and agency, between the individual and society.

Human beings are not simply passive recipients of culture, but active agents who shape and are shaped by their social world.

Practice is the site where structure and agency meet, where social forms are reproduced and transformed.

Culture is not a static set of rules, but a dynamic process of meaning-making and action.

The concept of 'practice' allows us to understand how individuals, through their everyday actions, contribute to the reproduction and transformation of social structures.

Agency is not simply individual will, but the capacity to act within and upon a structured world.

Structure is not simply external constraint, but also enabling conditions for action.

The 'key symbol' is a concept that helps us understand how certain cultural elements become particularly powerful and resonant within a society.

Key symbols are not just arbitrary signs, but condense and represent a complex web of meanings, values, and emotions.

They are often emotionally charged and can evoke strong reactions, both positive and negative.

Key symbols can be used to mobilize people, to justify actions, and to articulate a particular worldview.

The analysis of key symbols can provide deep insights into the underlying values and concerns of a culture.

The Sherpas of Nepal are a fascinating case study for understanding the interplay of culture, religion, and environment.