Anthropology
Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, societies, and linguistics, in both the present and past, including past human species. As a discipline, it seeks to understand what it means to be human, drawing on various fields such as:
History of Anthropology
The roots of Anthropology can be traced back to the Age of Enlightenment, when explorers and colonialists began to document the customs and cultures they encountered. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that anthropology became a distinct academic discipline:
- In the early 19th century, figures like Franz Boas in the United States and Bronislaw Malinowski in Britain began to develop methods for the systematic study of culture, marking the professionalization of the field.
- The mid-20th century saw a shift towards cultural relativism, the idea that one should view each culture within its own context, rather than through the lens of one's own culture.
Key Concepts in Anthropology
- Holism: Anthropology looks at the whole picture of human experience, integrating different aspects of human life.
- Cultural Relativism: The principle that an individual human's beliefs and activities should be understood by others in terms of that individual's own culture.
- Ethnography: A primary research method in anthropology involving the detailed study of a particular community or society, often through immersive fieldwork.
Modern Anthropology
Today, Anthropology has expanded to include:
- Medical Anthropology: Examines health and disease within cultural contexts.
- Applied Anthropology: Uses anthropological methods and theories to solve practical problems.
- Forensic Anthropology: Assists in legal investigations by analyzing human remains.
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