ABSTRACT
The opposition of primitive 'group-sentiment', 'joint personality' and 'clan absorption' to civilized individualism and pursuit of selfish ends appear to us altogether artificial and futile. The touch of ridicule which hangs about most writings of anthropology is due to the artificial flavour of a statement torn out of its life-context. The unity of the clan is a legal fiction in that it demands—in all native doctrine, that is in all their professions, statements and ties to the claims of clan solidarity, this solidarity is almost constantly sinned against and practically non-existent in the daily run of ordinary life. 'Hearsay Anthropology' is constantly exposed to the danger of ignoring the seamy side of savage law. Like everything else in human cultural reality is not a consistent logical scheme, but rather a seething mixture of conflicting principles. Among these the clash of matriliny and paternal interest is probably the most important.
