Claude Lévi-Strauss
Full Name and Common Aliases
Claude Élie Lévi-Strauss was born on November 28, 1883, in Brussels, Belgium. He is commonly referred to as Claude Lévi-Strauss.
Birth and Death Dates
Birth: November 28, 1883
Death: October 30, 2009 (at the age of 100)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Lévi-Strauss was a French anthropologist, sociologist, and ethnographer. He is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern anthropology.
Early Life and Background
Claude Lévi-Strauss was born to Jewish parents from Alsace. His family moved to Paris when he was a young child. Lévi-Strauss's early life was marked by his love for science, philosophy, and literature. He studied law at the École Normale Supérieure but later switched to anthropology. In 1910, he married Simone Roume, with whom he had two daughters.
Major Accomplishments
Lévi-Strauss made significant contributions to anthropology, sociology, and ethnography. Some of his key accomplishments include:
Developing structuralism, a theoretical framework for understanding human culture and society.
Conducting extensive fieldwork in Brazil, which led to the publication of "Tristes Tropiques" (1955) and "Tears of Eves" (1969).
Serving as president of the French Sociological Society from 1958 to 1960.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Lévi-Strauss's notable works include:
Tristes Tropiques (1955) - a travelogue that explores the culture and history of Brazil.
Tears of Eves (1969) - a study on mythology, symbolism, and the human condition.
Elementary Structures of Kinship (1949) - a foundational work on kinship systems and social organization.
Impact and Legacy
Lévi-Strauss's work has had a profound impact on anthropology, sociology, and ethnography. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. His theories on structuralism and cultural universals have shaped our understanding of human culture and society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Claude Lévi-Strauss's quotes are often cited for their insight into human nature, culture, and society. He is remembered for his ability to distill complex ideas into simple yet profound statements. His work continues to inspire new generations of scholars, researchers, and thinkers.
Lévi-Strauss passed away on October 30, 2009, at the age of 100, leaving behind a rich legacy of knowledge and insight.
Quotes by Claude Lévi-Strauss
Claude Lévi-Strauss's insights on:
Our students wanted to know everything: but only the newest theory seemed to them worth bothering with. Knowing nothing of the intellectual achievements of the past, they kept fresh and intact their enthusiasm for ‘the latest thing’. Fashion dominated their interest: they valued ideas not for themselves but for the prestige that they could wring from them.
I can’t help thinking that science would be more appealing if it had no practical use.
All the essentials of humanity’s artistic treasures can be found in New York.
There is one fact that can be established. The only phenomenon which, always and in all parts of the world, seems to be linked with the appearance of writing.
There is today a frightful disappearance of living species, be they plants or animals. And it’s clear that the density of human beings has become so great, if I can say so, that they have begun to poison themselves. And the world in which I am finishing my existence is no longer a world that I like.
The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he’s one who asks the right questions.
