Big Man: Difference between revisions

From Generative Anthropology
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Category:GA Basics]]
[[Category:GA Basics]]
[[Category:Generative Anthropology]]
[[Category:Generative Anthropology]]
Eric Gans borrows this term from the anthropologist Marshall Sahlins. The Big Man is important for [[Generative Anthropology|generative anthropology]] because it marks the moment at which the sacred [[center]], which was at first occupied only by the sacred object itself (presumably the totemic and appetitive object of the group), comes to be occupied by a human.  
The '''Big Man''' refers to the first human occupation of the [[center]]. Previously, the center had only been occupied by totemic and appetitive objects.
 
== Origin ==
Before the emergence of the Big Man, distributions from the center were roughly equal, and not proportional to one's contribution towards the community. This led to increasing [[resentment]], as members of the group felt they were not receiving their "fair share." Eventually, this resentment led to another crisis, which was defused by the emergence of the Big Man by placing a human at the center to manage distributions.  


This moment marks the beginning of explicit and “legitimated” inequality between humans (namely, the Big Man and the rest of the community).
This moment marks the beginning of explicit and “legitimated” inequality between humans (namely, the Big Man and the rest of the community).
== Additional Information ==
Eric Gans borrows this term from the anthropologist Marshall Sahlins.

Latest revision as of 14:12, 13 May 2023

The Big Man refers to the first human occupation of the center. Previously, the center had only been occupied by totemic and appetitive objects.

Origin

Before the emergence of the Big Man, distributions from the center were roughly equal, and not proportional to one's contribution towards the community. This led to increasing resentment, as members of the group felt they were not receiving their "fair share." Eventually, this resentment led to another crisis, which was defused by the emergence of the Big Man by placing a human at the center to manage distributions.

This moment marks the beginning of explicit and “legitimated” inequality between humans (namely, the Big Man and the rest of the community).

Additional Information

Eric Gans borrows this term from the anthropologist Marshall Sahlins.