AN100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Franz Boas, The Handmaiden, Scientific Racism
Document Summary
To understand the present and correct our mistakes. Big part of the colonial project (colonization of society/cultures) Colonization allowed them to go into other countries. Became a scientific discipline in the early 20th century although . Interest in other cultures preceded the scientific phase (ex: franz boas) Cultural relativism used by boas (look at other societies by their lenses) Has expanded its reach into many areas and small and urban communities. In order to understand poverty you need to understand wealth. Postmodern - critical self reflection of our role. Anthropology was the outcome of a process which made the larger part of mankind subservient to the other (levi-strauss) Anthropology is the science of culture seen from the outside (l. strauss 1966:126) Type of applied colonialism i. e. , how to rule better. Scientific colonialism" : exploited difference" for study & knowledge construction (theories, concepts); confirmed superiority of western civilization. Advocates: buffers between local and ruler; minimize effect of colonialism on local cultures.
