The Theory of Cultural Materialism

Cultural materialism is an influential theory within the field of anthropology that provides a framework for understanding and analyzing human societies. Developed by Marvin Harris and introduced in his book “The Rise of Anthropological Theory” in 1968, cultural materialism has since become a significant perspective for studying the relationship between culture and the physical world.

Key Concepts

1. Incorporation of Ideas

Cultural materialism integrates concepts from Marxism, cultural evolution, and cultural ecology. By drawing upon these different theoretical perspectives, cultural materialism offers a comprehensive understanding of how culture and the physical environment intersect and shape human behavior.

2. Influence of the Physical World

The theory emphasizes that the physical world, including technology and economic systems, plays a crucial role in influencing and setting constraints on human behavior. It posits that the material conditions of a society, such as its subsistence strategies and resource utilization, have a significant impact on various aspects of culture and social organization.

Levels of Social Systems

Cultural materialism identifies three interconnected levels of social systems: infrastructure, structure, and superstructure. Each level represents different aspects of society and provides insights into the interplay between culture and the physical environment.

1. Infrastructure

The infrastructure refers to the fundamental aspects of a society’s material conditions and how they interact with the local environment. It includes components such as subsistence strategies, technology, and resource allocation. Cultural materialists argue that the infrastructure is the most critical level as it forms the foundation for cultural practices and shapes the development of higher social structures.

2. Structure

The structure level encompasses a society’s economic, social, and political organization. It focuses on the patterns of social relationships, social roles, and the distribution of power within a given society. Cultural materialism explores how the infrastructure influences and shapes the structure of a society, as changes in material conditions can lead to shifts in social organization.

3. Superstructure

The superstructure represents the ideological and symbolic aspects of culture. It encompasses beliefs, values, norms, and artistic expressions. Cultural materialism recognizes that the superstructure is influenced by the infrastructure and structure, as changes in material conditions can lead to shifts in ideology and cultural practices.

Scientific Approach and Change

1. Scientific Methods

Cultural materialists approach the study of culture and society from a scientific perspective. They believe that human behavior is part of nature and can be understood through empirical observation and analysis. This scientific approach allows cultural materialists to examine the relationship between culture and the physical world objectively.

2. Relationship between Infrastructure, Structure, and Superstructure

Cultural materialism suggests that changes in the infrastructure can lead to subsequent changes in the structure and superstructure of a society. However, these changes may not occur immediately and can manifest over time. While cultural materialism acknowledges the possibility of changes in the structure and superstructure without changes in the infrastructure, it argues that such changes are less likely to become deeply ingrained in the culture.

Significance and Influence

The theory of cultural materialism has had a significant impact on the analysis of societal development and understanding the challenges faced by different societies. By examining the material conditions that underlie cultural phenomena, cultural materialists provide insights into the dynamics of social change and the effects of economic systems on human behavior. This perspective has been particularly influential in examining the problems associated with capitalist societies.

Conclusion



Cultural materialism offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the relationship between culture and the physical world. By incorporating ideas from Marxism, cultural evolution, and cultural ecology, the theory provides insights into how material conditions shape human behavior and social organization. Through its analysis of infrastructure, structure, and superstructure, cultural materialism sheds light on the complexities of cultural phenomena and their connections to the physical environment.

FAQs

What is cultural materialism?

Cultural materialism is an anthropological theory that examines the relationship between culture and the physical world, emphasizing the influence of material conditions, such as technology and economic systems, on human behavior and social organization.

Who developed the theory of cultural materialism?

The theory of cultural materialism was developed by Marvin Harris, an influential anthropologist, and was introduced in his book “The Rise of Anthropological Theory” in 1968.

What are the key concepts of cultural materialism?

Key concepts of cultural materialism include the incorporation of ideas from Marxism, cultural evolution, and cultural ecology, as well as the recognition of the significant impact of the physical world on human behavior and the identification of three levels of social systems: infrastructure, structure, and superstructure.

How does cultural materialism view the relationship between culture and the physical world?



Cultural materialism posits that the physical world, including technology and economic systems, influences and sets constraints on human behavior. It emphasizes that material conditions shape cultural practices and social organization.

What are the three levels of social systems in cultural materialism?

The three levels of social systems in cultural materialism are infrastructure, structure, and superstructure. The infrastructure refers to the material conditions of society, including subsistence strategies and resource utilization. The structure pertains to the economic, social, and political organization of a society. The superstructure encompasses ideology and symbolism.

How does cultural materialism explain social change?

Cultural materialism suggests that changes in the infrastructure can lead to subsequent changes in the structure and superstructure of a society. However, these changes may not occur immediately and can manifest over time. It recognizes that while changes in the structure and superstructure can occur without changes in the infrastructure, they are less likely to become deeply ingrained in the culture.

What is the significance of cultural materialism?

Cultural materialism has been influential in analyzing societal development and understanding the challenges faced by different societies, particularly in capitalist societies. It provides a valuable framework for examining the interplay between material conditions, culture, and social organization.

How does cultural materialism approach the study of culture?



Cultural materialism adopts a scientific approach to the study of culture. It views human behavior as part of nature and employs empirical observation and analysis to understand the relationship between culture and the physical world objectively.