The history of human marriage

Name: The history of human marriage
Author: Edward Westermarck

By Edward Westermarck

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Archaeology & Anthropology Sociology

About This Book

A systematic, comparative account of how human marriage systems arise and change, combining ethnographic evidence and evolutionary reasoning. It examines biological antecedents of mating and parental care, proposes a past seasonality in human pairing, and analyses the psychological and social roots of incest prohibitions. The study surveys variations in conjugal forms, residence rules, mate exchange, and sexual selection, and argues that marital institutions are rooted in family relationships and shaped by both natural and social selection. Chapters interweave data, hypotheses, and methodological discussion to explain persistence and transformation of marriage customs.

About the Author

Edward Westermarck

Edward Westermarck was a Finnish philosopher and sociologist, best known for his influential works on marriage and morality. His seminal book, "The History of Human Marriage," explores the cultural and social aspects of marriage across different societies, providing a comprehensive analysis of its evolution. Westermarck's contributions to the study of moral ideas are encapsulated in his work "The Origin and Development of the Moral Ideas," where he examines the roots of ethical concepts. His interdisciplinary approach combined sociology, anthropology, and philosophy, making him a significant figure in the early 20th-century discourse on human relationships and moral philosophy.