The World of the Gift

摘要: There was a time, not long ago, when the principles of Christian tradition permeated Canadian society. The church shared with law, medicine and education aura being employer choice for brightest graduates colleges universities. Theologians philosophers articulated ideals that motivated whole culture, politicians appealed to understanding world under benevolent care an omniscient God who blessed faithful chastised improvident. Young people responded enthusiasm call go far reaches world, only carrying natural human cosmos, but introducing education, social services regions had yet been touched Western culture.Those times seem removed. We live in society has forgotten, repudiated, its past. Our young do know, nor they discover, values moulded their grandparents which lived. This is simply result religious pluralism became characteristic once government policy no longer gave precedence European immigrants. deeper malaise, stems from individualism modern culture. Ever since Enlightenment attacked superstition faith put reason place interest manipulating nature achieve useful results, ever inspired by Descartes, ultimate standard truth goodness subject, trend towards individualism, where each person determines herself or himself what ideas make most sense, are worth achieving. Lacking any sense transmits standards norms, espoused principle individualistic self-determination. old delight offending ingrained sensibilities. Those appeal as bulwark against contemporary expediency, personal fulfilment self-interest condemned reactionary.Christianity forced adapt this brave new world. No able assume traditional world-view, created redeemed it retreated "spiritual," realm feeling something beyond--not defining way is, rather component psychology, necessary coming terms impersonal contingencies affairs.In five books considered here, we have different examples how men women coping world--the after Christendom.Godbout's Caille's World Gift explicitly Christian. It builds on academic initiated anthropologist Marcel Mauss, explored forms function gift exchanges archaic societies: potlatch among natives north-west British Columbia kula practiced Trobriand Islanders. But practice giving resonates fundamental themes doctrine. Creation free, uncoerced existence, incarnation described act grace, unconstrained goodwill. Christians urged agape: love sexual desire, devotion transcendent, friendship, charity.Anthropologists others examined gifts medium exchange various cultures. While return expected immediately, produces obligation, due course requires return. Yet canonized Nicholas embodiment charity, simple good man whose were always anonymous precisely because anonymity removes opportunity reciprocity.In Caille explores structure …