عنوان

The logic of writing and the organization of society /

0521327458

0521339626 (pbk.)

9780521327459

9780521339629 (pbk.)

b413021

b413021

The logic of writing and the organization of society /

[Book]

Jack Goody.

New York :

Cambridge University Press,

1986.

xvii, 213 p. ;

22 cm.

Studies in literacy, family, culture, and the state

Includes bibliographical references (p. 194-205) and index.

Author is particularly concerned with ancient Near East and contemporary West Africa.

This book assesses the impact of writing on human societies, both in the Ancient Near East and in contemporary Africa, and highlights some general features of social systems that have been influenced by this major change in the mode of communication. Such features are central to any attempt at the theoretical definition of human society and such constituent phenomena as religious and legal systems, and in this study Professor Goody explores the role of a specific mechanism, the introduction of writing and the development of a written tradition, in the explanation of some important social differences and similarities. Goody argues that a shift of emphasis from productive to certain communicative processes is essential to account adequately for major changes in human societies. Whilst there have been previous descussions of the effect of literacy upon social organisation, no study has hitherto presented the general synthesis developed here. -- Back cover.

Civilization, Ancient.

Social evolution.

Writing-- History.

Writing-- Social aspects.

Africa, West, Civilization.

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Goody, Jack.

20141008081458.0

[Book]

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