Fei Xiaotong

Fei Xiaotong ( ?孝通) (November 2, 1910-April 24, 2005) was a pioneering Chinese researcher and professor of sociology and anthropology; he was also noted for his studies in the study of China's ethnic groups as well as a social activist. Considered by some as one of China's finest and most prominent sociologists and anthropologists, his works on these subjects were instrumental in laying a solid foundation for the development of sociological and anthropological studies in China, as well as in introducing social and cultural phenomena of China to the international community. His last post before his death in 2005 was as Professor of Sociology at Peking University.

Related Topics:
November 2 - 1910 - April 24 - 2005 - Chinese - Sociology - Anthropology - Ethnic groups - Social activist - China - Sociologists - Anthropologists - Peking University

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Among Fei Xiaotong's contributions to anthropology is the concept that Chinese social relations work through social networks of personal relations with the self at the center and decreasing closeness as one moves out. Among the criticisms of Fei Xiaotong's work is that his work tended to ignore regional and historical variations in Chinese behavior; nonetheless, as a pioneer and educator, his intent was to high general trends, thus this simplification may have had significant justification for Fei's intent, even if they created a bias in studies of Chinese society and culture.

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