From Function to Meaning: A Dialogue Between Geertz’s Hermeneutic Anthropology and Behavioral Science

Culture has been studied in numerous fields of knowledge for many years. Clifford Geertz, an anthropologist who significantly influenced the study of culture in the 20th century, proposed that human beings cannot be understood separately from their culture and highlighted the role that symbolic networks play in controlling human behavior. The present article aimed to discuss possible intersections between Geertz’s Anthropology and Behavioral Science (BS) concerning the theme of culture and the role of symbols. The discussion was conducted considering the changes in BS over time, from B. F. Skinner’s proposals, through Stimulus Equivalence, to Relational Frame Theory (RFT). Despite Geertz’s critiques of the behaviorism of his time, there appear to be some convergences between the two approaches, particularly regarding the analysis of culture. However, the main divergences are observed concerning the concept and role of symbols in behavior control. These divergences seem less significant in light of new concepts and evidence demonstrated by Stimulus Equivalence and RFT, which focus on the study of symbolic behavior. We propose that BS could benefit from Geertz’s Hermeneutic Anthropology by continuing to develop theoretical propositions that may (or may not) prove useful in scientific research on symbols and culture across different research areas.