The paper deals with methodological individualism in anthropology. Why holistic theories are dominant in anthropology, and what kind of methodological individualism is pertinent for anthropological research?
Paper long abstract:
Conceptual ambiguities and meanings of individualism in anthropology are examined: the notions of epistemological individual (actor) and a psychological individual (person); methodological individualism and theories based on the concept of rationality; methodological individualism and political indiviualism (liberalism); cultural individualism and methodological individualism. Contributions of different classical and contemporary authors who have based their research on epistemological individual actor are analyzed. This includes both anthropology and other disciplines and research topics relevant for anthropology. Marginalisation of Rational Choice Theory (RCT) in anthropology is discussed in detail, by comparing the status of this theoretical approach in anthropology, sociology and economics. Other individualistic approaches, such as cognitivist theory of action are discussed as a possible framework for addressing many theoretical issues in anthropology.