As one of the most renowned figures in the history of anthropology, Bronislaw Malinowski is recognised as having been central to the development of the discipline, with interpretations of his thought usually drawing attention to his work in founding the approach of functionalism and his innovative method of intensive field research. This book offers a decisive extension of Malinowskis achievement, referring to the accomplishments of present-day social sciences and humanities and the debts that they owe to Malinowksis oeuvre.
Bringing together eminent scholars in such fields as social anthropology, sociology, law, cultural studies, literary and theatre studies, and art history, this book emphasises the importance of Malinowskis theoretical and methodological insights as a treasure trove of inspiration for contemporary researchers.
A critical commentary on the life, work, and legacy of Bronislw Malinowski, it sheds light on his academic work, while personal documents, many of which are not well known or are completely unknown in the Anglophone sphere, prove their fundamental importance for understanding his oeuvre, and the intellectual connections between his work and the work of other most prominent intellectuals of the 20th and 21st centuries. It will therefore appeal to scholars across the social sciences and humanities with interests in the history of anthropology and sociology and fundamental questions of theory and research methodology.
