Question 1 · 441 words written
Write a note on development of Anthropology. c) Leslie White's contribution to Neo-Evolutionism
Opening · a definition
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Body · points and prose
Anthropology is a study of human in totality in terms of time and space. It is the science of humans, their works and behaviours.
• Informal beginning of this science may be traced back to 5th century Greek philosophers (Herodotus, Aristotle etc.) who worked out of sheer curiosity of human body and mind.
• Unsystematic Beginning
| Period | Events/Contributions | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 16th cent. | Renaissance | 1) Not as a separate discipline |
| 17th & 18th cent. | French Revolution - H.spencer Gave push to studies | 2) Only examination of evolution of man as biological and moral being |
| 19th cent. | Immanuel Kant treated Anthropology as a branch of philosophy | 3) No defined methods |
| 1859 | 'origin of species' by Charles Darwin led to evolutionism |
Systematic Beginnings
| Period | Events/Contributions | Driven by |
|---|---|---|
| Late 19th cent. | Evolutionism by E.B. Tylor, L.H. Morgan & James Frazer | 1) Darwinism |
| 1st Academic position in Anthropology | 2) support of colonial machinery |
Development in Modern Era
Development in Indian Anthropology
- As stated by L.P. Vidyarthi -
Neo-Evolutionists scholars like Leslie White, Julian Steward, V.G. Childe attempted to overcome failings of classical evolutionists by incorporating empirical methods.
Leslie White was student of Franz Boas and was influenced by Tylor and Morgan (Evolutionists)
He proposed Energy based approach to universal cultural evolution
Premises
- Each stage of evolution requires higher form of energy
- Higher form and amount of energy requires developing technology, which shapes culture.
- Thus, culture evolved with used of higher Energy.
| Stage | Energy | Characteristics | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savagery | Muscle | Hunting-gathering | Stone tools |
| Barbarism | Animal | Animal Rearing, Agriculture | Plough, pots |
| civilisation | coal Petroleum | Industrial revolution | Machines |
Methodology
- He provided 3 aspects of culture in hierarchy
- For him, foundation of Technology determined evolution in other aspects.
- Thus technology changed society and culture.
- Following this, he proposed Technological determinism (Law of cultural development)
E × T = C where, C : degree of cultural change E : Amount of Energy per capita T : Efficiency of Technology
Contributions
He presented theories from his works -
Criticism
- Julian Steward criticised his approach as he considered Environment as constant & non-changing.
- Though white was criticised, he contributed by giving clear idea of Universal evolution as a whole.
Close · no separate close
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