The Context of the Emergence and Formation of Interpretive Anthropology

The present article addresses the question of what are the foundations of the formation of interpretive anthropology and what role each of these foundations has played in the formation and development of interpretive anthropology. It also provides an explanation of the nature of interpretive anthropology while considering the history of anthropology. The method of this paper is based on a descriptive-analytical approach and in some cases content analysis. Interpretive or symbolic anthropology is a branch of American cultural anthropology that emerged in the 20th century in America and is completely distinct in method from the anthropology of the 18th and 19th centuries, with a special emphasis and attention on the category of culture. In this approach, it is explained that culture in any society is a collection of meanings that can be understood by examining the symbols that dominate the society. The present article, referencing the opinions and works of two prominent figures in this field, Clifford Geertz and Victor Turner, explores the desired contexts and in a detailed section demonstrates that the main foundations of the formation of this approach are: 1. Critique and moving beyond evolutionary and historical perspectives, 2. Moving beyond functionalism, 3. Moving beyond structuralism, 4. The crystallization and emphasis on a specific concept of culture in human studies, 5. The crystallization and emphasis on the field research and the use of participant observation method, and 6. The emergence of the culture and personality approach in anthropological and religious studies.