Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
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Bricolage: In philosophy, bricolage refers to a mode of problem-solving or creation using available materials or concepts, often involving improvisation and adaptability rather than a predefined plan. The concept was introduced by the French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss in his work "The Savage Mind," published in 1962._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
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Claude Lévi-Strauss on Bricolage - Dictionary of Arguments
I 29 Definition Bricolage/Lévi-Strauss: uses materials that are out of line with those used by the specialist. The peculiarity of mythical thinking now consists in expressing oneself with the help of means whose composition is strange and which, although they are comprehensive, remain limited. Nevertheless, it must make use of them, whatever the problem is, because it has nothing else at hand. It thus appears to be a kind of intellectual craft. >Structure/Lévi_Strauss, >System/Lévi-Strauss, >Order/Lévi-Strauss, >Classification/Lévi-Strauss. I 30 The rule of the game is to get along with what is at hand (for the craftsman) at all times, i. e. with a limited selection of tools and materials, which are also heterogeneous. The means of the craftsman are not determinable as in view of a project....; they can be determined only by their tool character..... Such elements are only half purposive. I 32 Order/Structure/Bricolage: every choice (of the craftsman) entails a complete reorganization of the structure. I 33 Knowledge: both the craftsman and the scientist are waiting for messages. For the craftsman, however, this has to be temporary in some way (like the rules for merchants, which allow to react to new situations). (See also Analogy/Lévi-Strauss)._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
LevSt I Claude Lévi-Strauss La pensée sauvage, Paris 1962 German Edition: Das Wilde Denken Frankfurt/M. 1973 LevSt II C. Levi-Strauss The Savage Mind (The Nature of Human Society Series) Chicago 1966 |