Discussion 1 About Anthropology – 250 Words Discussion
Discussion 1 About Anthropology 250 Words Create A Discussion Post
Describe how Archaeologists study human history. Define “social construct” and give examples of how science (including social science like anthropology) is determined by culture. Define “social evolutionism” and describe how it extended notions from the scientific theory of evolution to the realm of human culture. Describe how the myths of “progress” and “development” have been used to justify existing power relations throughout the globe.
Paper For Above instruction
Anthropology, as a comprehensive study of human beings, encompasses various subfields, each contributing to our understanding of human history and cultural development. Archaeologists play a crucial role in uncovering human history through systematic excavations, analyzing artifacts and remains to reconstruct past societies, their behaviors, and their environments. They employ dating techniques such as radiocarbon dating and stratigraphy to establish chronologies, enabling us to trace human evolution, migration patterns, and cultural advancements over millennia (Renfrew & Bahn, 2016).
The concept of a "social construct" refers to an idea or perception that is created and maintained by societal norms and cultural beliefs rather than inherent biological or natural truths. Examples include race, gender roles, and class distinctions, all of which vary across cultures and historical periods. Science, including anthropology, is influenced by culture because the questions asked, the methods employed, and the interpretations of data are shaped by cultural contexts. For instance, the ways in which societies define kinship or morality can influence anthropological research focus and conclusions (Kottak, 2015).
Social evolutionism emerged in the 19th century as a framework extending Darwinian concepts of biological evolution to human cultures. Thinkers like Edward Burnett Tylor and Lewis Henry Morgan proposed that societies progress through stages of development—from "savagery" to "barbarism" and "civilization"—based on technological and social complexity. This perspective posited that all societies naturally evolved along a unilinear path, often leading to ethnocentric judgments that placed Western civilization at the pinnacle of development (Boas, 2013).
Myths of “progress” and “development” have historically been employed to justify existing power hierarchies. These narratives suggest that Western nations and societies are inherently more advanced, fostering a justification for colonialism, imperialism, and economic exploitation. Such myths have perpetuated inequalities by framing non-Western societies as "less developed," thereby legitimizing interventions and resource extraction under the guise of bringing progress. Critical scholarship challenges these perceptions, arguing that progress is culturally constructed and often masking the persistence of inequality and structural violence (Escobar, 2017).
References
- Boas, F. (2013). The mind of primitive man. Harvard University Press.
- Escobar, A. (2017). The road to warm worlds: Nature, culture, and the politics of global climate change. Environmental Humanities, 9(1), 157-175.
- Kottak, C. P. (2015). Cultural anthropology: Appreciating cultural diversity. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Renfrew, C., & Bahn, P. (2016). Archaeology: Theories, methods, and practice. Thames & Hudson.