Marvin Harris

Marvin Harris was an influential American anthropologist born in Brooklyn, New York.

He developed the theory of cultural materialism, combining Marx's focus on production forces with Malthus's insights on demographic factors.

Harris argued that these "infrastructure" elements were crucial in shaping a society's social structure and culture.

A prolific writer, he applied this materialist approach to explain various cultural phenomena, making anthropology accessible to a wider audience.

His work emphasized the practical, economic foundations of cultural practices, challenging traditional interpretations of human behavior and societal development.