"I agree with Chomsky in almost nothing. When it comes to innate structures and so on, I'm very skeptical"
- Clifford Geertz
About this Quote
Clifford Geertz was a renowned anthropologist and thinker who was understood for his operate in symbolic and interpretive sociology. In this quote, Geertz is expressing his difference with the linguist Noam Chomsky's theories on innate structures. Geertz is expressing his skepticism towards Chomsky's theories, recommending that he does not concur with them. This is in contrast to Chomsky's belief that language is an inherent structure that is hardwired into the human brain. Geertz's apprehension towards Chomsky's theories suggests that he believes language is a found out habits, instead of an innate structure. This remains in line with Geertz's belief that language is a product of culture and socializing, rather than a biological phenomenon. Geertz's uncertainty towards Chomsky's theories suggests that he believes language is a product of culture and socialization, instead of an innate structure. This is in contrast to Chomsky's belief that language is an innate structure that is hardwired into the human brain.
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