Explain Cultural materialism.

Cultural Materialism: Material Determinants of Culture

Cultural materialism, pioneered by Marvin Harris, is an anthropological perspective that emphasizes the material conditions of society as primary drivers of cultural practices and beliefs. This theoretical framework posits that the economic infrastructure, including factors like technology, environment, and resources, profoundly influences cultural superstructures such as beliefs, values, and social institutions. Harris argued that understanding the practical adaptations of a society, rooted in its material base, is essential for comprehending cultural phenomena. Cultural materialism seeks to uncover the underlying reasons behind cultural choices, arguing that they often serve practical functions related to survival and adaptation in specific environmental and economic contexts. This approach has been instrumental in explaining cultural diversity and change through the lens of material constraints and opportunities.