Bronisław Malinowski vs. Levi Strauss

Attribute	Bronisław Malinowski	Levi Strauss
Field of Study	Anthropology	Anthropology
Key Contributions	Functionalism, participant observation	Structuralism, binary oppositions
Focus	Cultural practices and social structures	Mythology and symbolic systems
Methodology	Participant observation, ethnography	Structural analysis, binary coding
Impact	Foundational figure in anthropology	Key figure in structuralism

Background

Bronisław Malinowski and Levi Strauss are two prominent figures in the field of anthropology. Malinowski, a Polish anthropologist, is known for his pioneering work in ethnography and participant observation. He is often referred to as the father of modern anthropology for his contributions to the field. Levi Strauss, on the other hand, was a French anthropologist known for his structuralist approach to studying cultures. Both scholars have had a significant impact on the field of anthropology, but they approached their research in different ways.

Fieldwork

Malinowski is best known for his immersive fieldwork in the Trobriand Islands off the coast of New Guinea. He lived among the people he studied, learning their language and customs in order to gain a deep understanding of their culture. This method of participant observation allowed Malinowski to uncover the underlying meanings behind the practices of the Trobriand Islanders. In contrast, Levi Strauss focused more on analyzing myths and symbols to uncover the underlying structures of cultures. He believed that by studying the underlying structures of cultures, one could gain insight into the universal aspects of human thought.

Methodology

Malinowski's methodology was rooted in the idea of functionalism, which focused on how cultural practices served specific functions within a society. He believed that by understanding the functions of cultural practices, one could gain insight into the social structure of a society. Levi Strauss, on the other hand, was a structuralist who focused on uncovering the underlying structures that govern human thought and behavior. He believed that by analyzing myths and symbols, one could uncover the deep structures that underlie all human cultures.

Contributions

Malinowski's contributions to anthropology include his development of the method of participant observation, which has become a cornerstone of ethnographic research. He also made significant contributions to the study of kinship and social organization. Levi Strauss, on the other hand, is best known for his theory of structuralism, which has had a profound impact on the field of anthropology. His analysis of myths and symbols has influenced generations of anthropologists and continues to be a key aspect of anthropological research.

Legacy

Both Malinowski and Levi Strauss have left a lasting legacy in the field of anthropology. Malinowski's emphasis on participant observation and functionalism has shaped the way anthropologists conduct fieldwork and analyze cultures. Levi Strauss's structuralist approach has also had a lasting impact on the field, influencing the way anthropologists think about the underlying structures of cultures. While their approaches may have differed, both scholars have made significant contributions to the field of anthropology and continue to be influential figures in the field.