Considered the heir of Claude Levi-Strauss, Philippe Descola undertook his first field studies in Ecuador involving an Amazonian tribe, the Jivaros Achuar. This work led him to wonder about the traditional opposition of nature and culture. As a result, he set out to show that the idea of a break between nature and culture, and of a great divide between humans and non-humans, is a very Euro-centric one. There are other societies that consider animals and plants as people, with the same standing as humans.
Such a re-evaluation of the link that can connect man to his environment is clearly significant. It has direct consequences on the status that is conferred on nature, and it continues to resound in current debates.
In a short and lively text, this renowned anthropologist outlines the major stages in his career and introduces us to the cultural diversity of our world.
