Question

According to Levi-Strauss in his book, Myth and Meaning, structuralism means all of the points below except:

A.All aspects of a society serve a function and are necessary for the survival of that society
B.The quest for the invariant
C.It is the reductionist approach of 'hard' science
D.Find the elements that is common to all languages
E.Finding the unchanging elements among superficial differences

Answer 1

Claude Lévi-Strauss's structuralism does not equate to 'hard' science's reductionism, instead focusing on the universal elements in cultural symbols and shared human experiences expressed in myths.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Claude Lévi-Strauss's structuralist approach in Myth and Meaning, structuralism does not signify a reductionist method akin to 'hard' science. Structuralism is more accurately defined as a theoretical approach that seeks out and identifies the universal and enduring elements within cultural symbols, such as myths and religious practices, across different societies.

This approach examines the deeper structure of culture by analyzing components like binary oppositions, mythemes, and the universal messages conveyed through cultural myths. Lévi-Strauss's belief was that myths of all cultures, while differing in superficial details, share an underlying structure that reflects similar human concerns and the nature of human thought.