Using real-life examples and historical evidence, French anthropologist Philippe Descola aims to understand the unique characteristics of communities that exist outside of modern societies. These communities have often been misunderstood because they were mistakenly compared to nation-states. However, Descola argues that we should examine the components and relationships within these communities based on how they perceive the world. By doing so, we can challenge the Eurocentric and human-centric view of social structures, which rely on Western ideas of progress and functionality. Recorded on 04/20/2023. (#38617)