The Death of Captain Cook

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that anthropological perspectives can not only supplement, but thoroughly inform historical perspectives on the events that took place in Hawaii. Furthermore, the paper argues that, in particular, the theories of Marshall Sahlins represent a major breakthrough in the understanding of what took place. Includes a fairly in-depth explanation of Sahlins's theories.

From the Paper:

"Scientific and philosophical thought have been preoccupied with the problem of an objective, empirical reality whose nature is discoverable and quantifiable at least since Descartes. This theoretical trend continued and culminated in the discoveries and ideas of Isaac Newton. "The Apotheosis of Captain Cook," by Gananath Obeyesekere, is similarly, though subtly, and perhaps unintentionally, concerned with such a reality. In fact, an objective, empirical reality is fundamental to Obeyesekere's argument in "The Apotheosis," which states, in part, that the Hawaiians whom Cook encountered in the winter of 1778-1779 (Cook died at the hand of the Hawaiians in 1779) were essentially "rational" beings who were able to discern such a "universal" reality (Sahlins 39)."

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