20th Annual Student Research Conference
Social Science
The Liminality of Value-Transference
Matthew S. Duckworth
Dr. Ding-hwa Hsieh, Faculty Mentor
Working from Victor Turner’s Ritual Process, this paper engages the notion of liminality to demonstrate that every communicatory act (value-transference) necessitates a rite of passage through which the word, idea, action must pass. It is within the second stage of these rites (the liminal) that the participant casts off those previous social constructs that bound him or her to the social structure; remembering social structure arises only from the context of social interaction, we may suppose wherever contact occurs, a structure providing basis and consistency for the interaction will emerge. We must acknowledge that within Turner’s liminal anti-structure, there remain forms and rules—third party system—that validate the exchange of value between individuals. I will show that rather than encourage community, liminality and communication moves to the assertion of oneself; and he or she who claims more charismatic authority will naturally enjoy a privileged position in this exchange.
Keywords: Liminality, Ritual, Turner, Weber
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 31-3
Location: OP 2111
Time: 10:15 am