Methods of Ethnology Summary

Specifically, Boas, in The Methods of Ethnology, argued against the various traditional evolutionary theories proposed by Morgan, Marx, Tylor and Spencer. Stating only(prenominal) if when that these theories had a particular resilience, provided lacked any sort of existential evidence, Boas argued that the evolutionary theory was based on the counterfactual arrogance that our culture was the most advanced and all others were merely chase us (Boas, 134). After attacking the diffusionists by noting that their data was not competent enough, methodological difficulties, he responded to the view that diachronic particularism (Historical particularism argued that all(prenominal) society is a collective representation of its unique historical past. It showed that societies could reach the same level of cultural development  by means of different paths) was atheoretical. How things are and how they come to exist can defy only broad outlines of chronological events. Hence cultures are impulsive and in constant flux; every phenomenon is not only an effect, but also a cause. (Boas, 137) A point, taken to the uttermost(a) by Kroeber, but also put forth by Boas was that certain problems may be solved in only particular ways.

Because humans are similar in their `` radical\, they would tend to solve these problems in similar ways, leading towards the unveiling of similar traits. Hence, it is not about cultural achievement, but instead about particular conditions that exist at the moment when the peeled effect is obtained In his 1920 essay on the The Methods of Ethnology, Franz Boas clearly do the case for human societies dynamism and the need to study recital and change. Thus, recognition of this fact arose early in the history of anthropology and ethnography, but it did not become central to general practice until later. In Boas article, Methods of Ethnology, he argues the hypotheses of hyper-diffusion and linear evolution is flawed, and lack supportive evidence. He provides an alternative anthropological... If you want to get a full essay, tack it on our website: Orderessay

If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .