A form of binarism: Lévi-Strauss’ definition on cultures

Ho-chia Chueh
Vol 18, Number 1, p.39
This paper provides a critical examination of Lévi-Strauss' methodology and its relation to concepts of binary oppositions. Lévi-Strauss argues for a methodological value of concepts of binary oppositional concepts. Yet, I argue that meanings of culture are circulated within Lévi-Strauss' own hypotheses in which meanings of cultures are given based on sets of binary oppositional terms. I also argue that such revision fails to provide social scientists with a better understanding of cultural differences.