Sick Societies

Sick Societies examines the reality of pre-colonial indigenous cultures, challenging the romanticized view of primitive societies as inherently harmonious and well-adapted. The book presents anthropological research by Robert B. Edgerton, Professor Emeritus at UCLA, who analyzes cultural practices across multiple societies. Through documented case studies, the text explores instances of dysfunctional behavior, harmful traditions, and maladaptive practices in various indigenous groups. Edgerton addresses topics including social conflict, medical practices, environmental impact, gender relations, and systems of belief that shaped these communities. The work questions the prevailing anthropological stance of cultural relativism while acknowledging its importance in fostering cross-cultural understanding. Edgerton presents evidence that challenges the notion that traditional societies consistently developed optimal solutions for human survival and social organization. The book contributes to ongoing discussions about objectivity in cultural analysis and the balance between respecting cultural differences while recognizing universal standards of human welfare.

Readers describe this as a research-backed challenge to cultural relativism, examining dysfunctional practices across societies. The book uses case studies and anthropological evidence to question if all cultural practices deserve equal respect. Readers appreciated: - Clear examples from real societies - Logical arguments against extreme cultural relativism - Extensive citations and research - Accessible writing style for non-academics Common criticisms: - Cherry-picks negative examples - Oversimplifies complex cultural contexts - Western bias in judging other societies - Dated perspectives (published 1992) One reader noted it "reads like an anthropological horror story" while another called it "thought-provoking but problematic in its conclusions." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (9 ratings) The book maintains steady academic citations but limited general reader reviews, suggesting its primary audience is anthropology students and scholars.

War Before Civilization by Lawrence H. Keeley Documents archaeological evidence of warfare and violence in prehistoric societies, revealing patterns of conflict that parallel Edgerton's findings about dysfunction in traditional cultures.

Constant Battles by Steven LeBlanc Examines ecological and archaeological data to demonstrate how resource competition led to warfare and social tension in indigenous societies throughout history.

Noble Savages by Napoleon Chagnon Presents firsthand ethnographic research among the Yanomamö people, detailing social conflicts and practices that challenge idealized views of tribal societies.

The World Until Yesterday by Jared Diamond Analyzes traditional societies' practices in conflict resolution, child-rearing, and risk management, comparing their approaches to modern solutions.

The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker Chronicles the history of human violence across cultures and time periods, incorporating anthropological data to examine social evolution and cultural practices.

🔍 Ancient Hawaii's strict kapu system, discussed in the book, resulted in death penalties for actions as minor as allowing one's shadow to fall on a chief's house 🌿 Edgerton spent over 40 years studying cultural practices across multiple continents, including extensive fieldwork in East Africa 🏺 The Aztec practice of human sacrifice, analyzed in the work, was actually counterproductive to population stability and social cohesion 📚 The book was published in 1992, during a period of significant debate in anthropology about cultural relativism versus universal human rights 🌍 The Tasmanians, featured as a case study, lost their ability to make fire and fish over generations due to cultural isolation, challenging the idea that all traditional practices were adaptive