Payback: The Logic of Retribution in Melanesian Religions

Near to the heart of the human predicament are impulses to avenge - what most of us will recognize to be negative, counterproductive reactions against others who pose a threat. By contrast, nothing re-establishes our faith in humanity more than extraordinary acts of concession, such as peace-making, generosity and sacrifice. In this study Garry Trompf shows how various aspects of 'payback', both negative and positive, provide the best indices to an understanding of Melanesian views of life. The book explores the reasons why people 'pay back' and opens up a whole dimension in the cross-cultural study of human consciousness. The author conducts his readers through the most complex anthropological pageant on earth, illustrating his arguments from western New Guinea to Fiji.

ISBN:	9780521062770
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Imprint:	Cambridge University Press
Published date:	15 May 2008
DEWEY:	299.92
DEWEY edition:	22
Language:	English
Number of pages:	565
Weight:	790g
Height:	234mm
Width:	156mm
Spine width:	29mm

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