Discuss in detail the contributions of the cultural evolutionists E.B. Tylor, Lewis Morgan, and Herbert Spencer.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for a detailed discussion on the contributions of cultural evolutionists E.B. Tylor, Lewis Morgan, and Herbert Spencer. It seeks to analyze their theories and ideas on cultural evolution and how their work has influenced the understanding of culture as a dynamic process.
Answer
Tylor proposed unilineal cultural evolution, Morgan outlined stages: savagery, barbarism, civilization, and Spencer applied 'survival of the fittest' to societies.
The final answer is: E.B. Tylor, Lewis Morgan, and Herbert Spencer each made significant contributions to cultural evolutionism. Tylor proposed that societies develop from 'savagery' to 'civilization,' emphasizing the idea of a unilineal evolution. Morgan introduced stages of social evolution: savagery, barbarism, and civilization, based on technological and social complexity. Spencer applied the idea of 'survival of the fittest' from biological to social contexts, viewing society as an organism evolving culturally over time.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is: E.B. Tylor, Lewis Morgan, and Herbert Spencer each made significant contributions to cultural evolutionism. Tylor proposed that societies develop from 'savagery' to 'civilization,' emphasizing the idea of a unilineal evolution. Morgan introduced stages of social evolution: savagery, barbarism, and civilization, based on technological and social complexity. Spencer applied the idea of 'survival of the fittest' from biological to social contexts, viewing society as an organism evolving culturally over time.
More Information
E.B. Tylor's work was pioneering, as he introduced the term 'culture' in its modern anthropological sense. Morgan was among the first to use comparative methods extensively in his research. Spencer's ideas influenced not only anthropology but also early sociology, particularly through his concept of the 'social organism'.
Tips
A common mistake is to oversimplify or conflate the theories, not acknowledging distinct contributions, like confusing Tylor's unilineal evolution with Morgan's stages.
Sources
- Social Evolutionism - Anthropology - The University of Alabama - anthropology.ua.edu
- 3.2: Cultural Evolution - Social Sci LibreTexts - socialsci.libretexts.org
- Cultural Evolution Definition, Theories & Examples - Lesson - study.com
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