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The Logic of Writing and the Organization of Society (Studies in Literacy, the Family, Culture and the State)

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What is the difference between a religion based on written text and one based merely on oral tradition?

According to Professor Goody, the short answer seems to be: a lot.

For one thing, with no canon, the parameters of sacred and profane fall more clearly to the shaman. For another: "conversion" is a more tricky process.

This is one of those niche books that answers the type of archane question you may encounter in an academic discussion or study group. However, if you really think about it, as evidenced by Goody's discussion, his findings also have applications in economics, government and law.

After long study in Africa, Goody had a wealth information to use to compare non graphicentered societies with those organizing themselves around written records. In this book, you'll see evidence Goody has collected from modern societies as well as from ancient ones such as Pharonic Egypt.

You'll learn just as a lack of written record has its limitations in the religious sphere, it also operates to effectively limit the size of how big a government or business can be. And it also surrenders law to the whim and caprice of the judge.

In this way, this book is a great introduction to the impact of literacy on the organization of society, a field that, as Goody himself would concede, still merits further research and study.