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Functionalism versus the structuralist tradition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2026

Giulio Ongaro Open the ORCID record for Giulio Ongaro [Opens in a new window]
Giulio Ongaro*
Affiliation:
Division of Humanities, School of Humanities and Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR giulio.ongaro@ust.hk Centre for Philosophy of Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR
*
*Corresponding author.
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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.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e305
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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