A non-structuralist is an individual or school of thought that rejects or critiques structuralism's core tenets. Structuralism, prevalent in fields like linguistics, anthropology, and literary theory, posits that underlying structures govern meaning and social phenomena. Non-structuralists challenge this, emphasizing the agency of individuals, the fluidity of meaning, and the instability of systems. They might focus on lived experience, historical context, or the role of power dynamics in shaping knowledge and understanding. Their approaches frequently involve deconstruction, post-structuralism, or other methodologies that depart from structuralist principles. They often favor a more flexible approach to interpretation and analysis, arguing that meaning is contingent and constantly evolving.
Non-structuralist meaning with examples
- Literary critics who prioritize authorial intention and reader response over rigid structuralist analyses of underlying narrative codes can be considered non-structuralists. Their focus might be on the subjective experience of the text rather than its formal structures.
- In anthropology, a non-structuralist might reject the structuralist focus on universal kinship systems and instead emphasize the diversity of cultural practices and individual interpretations within a society.
- Philosophers challenging the notion of a fixed, universal human nature and emphasizing the impact of social and historical factors on individual identity are aligned with non-structuralist thought.
- Those researching language who consider the evolving, individualistic usage of terms, rejecting a predefined set of structures for interpretation, are embracing the non-structuralist approach, focusing on specific language use.