Boas Franz

(1858-1942) German-born anthropologist who played a pioneering role in the foundation of modern CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY. Opposed to evolutionary theory, Boas was especially influential in establishing the ethnographic techniques which dominate modern anthropology He emphasised the relativity of cultures and the importance of understanding these in their own terms.

Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000

Mentioned in

Benedict Ruth
ethnology
Franz Boas

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