The History of Anthropology & The Road To Anthropology Today | Colonialism, Racism, & Ethnocentrism

Summary

In this video, Olivia explores the history of anthropology, from its roots with Herodotus to the Enlightenment and colonial era. She discusses how early anthropologists, influenced by colonialism, developed racist and ethnocentric ideas like evolutionism. The video highlights the shift to cultural relativism in the 1900s, led by anthropologists like Franz Boaz, who rejected the notion of linear societal evolution. Olivia concludes by emphasizing anthropology's ongoing growth and diversification.

Takeaways

• 📚 Anthropology is the scientific study of human behavior, divided into four main subfields: biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics.
• 🏺 Herodotus, a Greek historian, is considered the first ethnographer for his observations and writings about the Greeks and Persians.
• 💡 The Age of Enlightenment was a period of intellectual growth that followed the Scientific Revolution and influenced the development of anthropology.
• 🌍 Early anthropologists during the Age of Enlightenment viewed cultures in the Americas as inferior to European culture, leading to racist and ethnocentric ideas.
• 📈 Evolutionism was a concept that societies evolved in a linear way, from 'savage' to 'civilization', which has been since rejected as problematic.
• 🔄 The 1900s saw a shift in anthropology with critics like Franz Boas, Margaret Mead, and Ruth Benedict rejecting evolutionism and promoting cultural relativism.
• 🌐 Cultural relativism is the idea of evaluating cultures based on their own standards rather than those of the observer's culture, promoting a more respectful understanding.
• 👨‍🏫 Franz Boas is recognized as the father of anthropology for his advocacy of cultural relativism and the rejection of the idea of linear societal evolution.
• 🌱 Anthropology continues to evolve, with many more subfields emerging beyond the original four, indicating a growing and dynamic field of study.
• 🎥 The presenter, Olivia, creates videos about anthropology every Monday, suggesting an ongoing exploration and sharing of anthropological knowledge.

Q & A

What is anthropology and how is it broken down into subfields?

Anthropology is the scientific study of human behavior. It is broken down into four main subfields: biology, culture, archeology, and linguistics. Each subfield provides a different perspective for studying humans and human behavior.

Who is considered the first known ethnographer in anthropology?

Herodotus, a Greek historian, is considered the first known ethnographer. He traveled extensively and documented not only the reasons for conflicts between Greeks and Persians but also their traditions and cultural ideas.

What was the Age of Enlightenment and how did it influence anthropology?

The Age of Enlightenment was a period in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries that followed the Scientific Revolution. It was characterized by new radical ideas that opposed religious institutions and political absolutism. Anthropology, as an emerging field, was influenced by this period as it sought to understand people in a logical, problem-solving manner.

How did colonialism impact the development of anthropology?

Colonialism played a significant role in the development of anthropology. Early anthropologists, observing tribes and cultures in the Americas, deemed them inferior to Europeans, leading to racist and ethnocentric ideas that unfortunately became part of the field's early foundation.

What is evolutionism in the context of anthropology?

Evolutionism is the idea that societies evolved in a linear way, from 'savage' to 'civilization'. This concept was prevalent in early anthropology but has since been rejected as it is not an accurate representation of how cultures develop.

Who were some of the anthropologists that critiqued evolutionism in the 1900s?

In the 1900s, anthropologists such as Franz Boas, Margaret Mead, and Ruth Benedict criticized evolutionism. They argued against the idea that cultures should be evaluated based on a linear progression towards a single ideal state.

What is cultural relativism and how does it differ from ethnocentrism?

Cultural relativism is the idea that cultures should be evaluated based on their own standards rather than the standards of one's own culture. It differs from ethnocentrism, which judges other cultures as inferior based on the values and customs of one's own culture.

How did Franz Boas contribute to the shift in anthropological thought?

Franz Boas, considered the father of anthropology, agreed with cultural relativism and argued that every culture is on its own path and not evolving towards one place. His ideas helped shift anthropology away from the problematic notions of evolutionism.

What is the current state of anthropology as a field?

Anthropology is still a growing field and has expanded beyond the four main subfields to include many more areas of study. The field continues to evolve and adapt to better understand human behavior and culture.

What does the speaker suggest for future video content on the topic of anthropology?

The speaker suggests that future video content could include a deeper dive into the history of anthropology or specifically a video on the dark history of anthropology, indicating an interest in exploring the less discussed aspects of the field's past.