Boasian Anthropology

From Metapedia

Boasian Anthropology is based on the teaching and writing of Jewish anthropologist Franz Boas. This school of anthropology places culture as the fundamental key to understanding race and ethnicity. Prior to Boas, understanding evolutionary development of races was of intrinsic importance in anthropology. Boas' anthropology became highly influential by the middle of 20th century. According to Boas, environment is the deciding factor in understanding racial and cultural difference. In Boasian Anthropology, unlike traditional anthropology, racial research is essentially irrelevant because racial differences are considered to be trivial.

Boasianism also places societies of non-European derivation as essentially peaceful. When these non-European societies engage in conflict it is because of their exposure to European civilizations. This inter-ethic in intra-ethnic conflict was commonly ascribed to European colonial oppression and interference.

Lax sexual mores and loose pair bonding and are of significant importance in Boasian theories; Western societies have traditionally been in strict opposition to such practices. Boasian anthropology also comes to the conclusion that Western peoples must learn and adapt to these non-Western values and structures. Ruth Benedict and Margaret Meade are among the best known of Boas' students.