Functionalism versus the structuralist tradition.
The Behavioral and brain sciences July 10, 2026 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x2510441x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Singh's subjective functionalism inadequately explains the holistic nature of human culture, which structuralist approaches better capture through relational attractors. |
Abstract
I contrast Singh's subjective functionalism with structuralist-related approaches in anthropology, where "attractors" are not isolated packages of beliefs and practices but robust relationships between such packages within cultural systems. While impressive in its synthesis, Singh's account falls short of explaining a defining feature of human culture: its holistic nature. I use shamanism as an illustrative example.