Super Short Summary

The Interpretation of Cultures by Clifford Geertz outlines his influential theory of culture as interpretive, meaning culture comprises symbol systems that people use to make sense of their world. Through five parts, Geertz addresses the interpretation of culture, the specifics of human thought and society, religion and ideology as cultural systems, and human unity exemplified in Balinese practices, all illustrated with empirical analyses. Topics related to psychological and social complexities appear throughout the work.