弗思社会人类学制度思想分析

Analysis of Institution Thoughts from Firth's Social Anthropology Perspective

弗思在他的社会人类学研究中对制度的重视以及对研究制度的方法都有着明确的阐述,主张在比较的基础上,注重研究不同时期社会制度的变化。弗思认为,制度就是出于某种人类目的实现的需要而连接起来的相对稳定的社会关系。他将基本的制度类型分为四种,即性别差异制度、年龄等级制度、乡土制度、家庭制度。为了社会结构的稳定性,一定的制度规范和制裁就显得必要。在内外两种动力的作用下,制度变迁主要发生在文化、经济和政治领域。

Raymond William Firth states clearly on the approaches of institution research and the importance of institution in his social anthropological research. He argues that social anthropology should study social institution changing in different period. Firth thinks that institution is a comparative stable social relationship in order to achieve specific aims which meet human needs. He classifies four social institutions such as gender difference institution, age difference institution, agrestic institution and family institution. In order to keep social structure stable, it is necessary to establish institution rules and sanction. Pushed by both interior and exterior forces, institution change would mainly take place in cultural, economic and political fields.