By the 1970s, the focus shifted from "structures" to "meanings." pioneered Interpretive Anthropology , famously defining culture as a "web of significance." Instead of trying to be a hard science, anthropology became a quest for "thick description"—interpreting what social actions mean to the people performing them. 4. Post-Modernism and the Reflexive Turn
The Evolution of Anthropological Thought: History and Theory History and Theory in Anthropology
The history of anthropology is a move from the "armchair" theorizing of the 19th century to the deeply reflexive, politically engaged discipline of today. It has evolved from a tool of colonial classification into a vital framework for understanding global diversity, proving that while human nature may be universal, its expressions are infinite. By the 1970s, the focus shifted from "structures"
In the mid-1800s, anthropology emerged under the shadow of Darwinism. Early theorists like and Lewis Henry Morgan proposed "Unilineal Evolution." They argued that all societies progress through the same stages: Savagery, Barbarism, and finally, Civilization (modeled after Victorian Europe). While this established anthropology as a comparative science, it was inherently ethnocentric and served to justify colonial hierarchies. 2. The Turn to Particularism and Functionalism It has evolved from a tool of colonial
By the early 20th century, a massive shift occurred, led by , the "Father of American Anthropology." Boas rejected universal laws in favor of Historical Particularism , arguing that every culture is a product of its own unique history. He introduced the concept of cultural relativism—the idea that a culture should be understood on its own terms rather than judged against a European standard.