AN100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Clifford Geertz, Franz Boas, Margaret Mead
Document Summary
Race" (19th century) was used to understand differences" in behaviours intellect and practices. Division of human cultures into primitive/ civilized, progressive/backward. Savage slot" (colonized, indigenous) was earmarked as the specialized area of anthropological study. Difference among humans was reduced to biology/physical differences. Culture (20th century) replaced race" for understanding difference or diversity". Proponents were franz boas, margaret mead, ruth benedict. Culture - central concept and invention of anthropology. However, the idea of culture" also emerged in 19th century writing. Human beings differ in their beliefs and behaviours because of culture". Humans create and imitate (pass down) patterned and meaningful (symbolic) ideas and activities for survival in different environments. Hockey, happy mean, balinese cockfights are symbolic. Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society .
