Integral Anthropology: Selected Anthropological Writings of J.v. Ferreira

Book Details:

• Author: Bernd Pflug

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2012

• ISBN: 9788131605110

• Pages: 296

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

This landmark volume brings together the major writings of John Vincent Ferreira (1922–2010), one of India's most distinguished anthropologists. At the heart of Ferreira’s intellectual legacy lies his concept of “Integral Anthropology” — an approach that views anthropology not merely as a scientific discipline, but as a philosophical and humanistic endeavor. His work challenged the prevailing currents of scientism and reductionism in the social sciences, advocating for a richer, more complete understanding of human beings in all their mental, artistic, and spiritual complexity.

Ferreira called on anthropologists to move beyond narrow empirical confines and to embrace the full scope of human culture — including art, religion, and philosophy. He believed that to truly study man, anthropology must become a means of understanding the whole person, rather than reducing individuals to data points or simplistic social categories.

Edited by Bernd Pflug and supported by contributions from S.M. Michael, this book is more than a tribute — it is a call to reimagine anthropology as a holistic discipline, deeply rooted in the human experience. The editors frame Ferreira’s ideas within broader philosophical and educational contexts, making this volume essential reading for scholars, educators, and students of anthropology, cultural studies, and the philosophy of the social sciences.