BASIC FEATURES (OF CLASSICAL EVOLUTIONISM)

The direction of At the higher

Similarities in
cultural stage of culture,
culture or
Human culture evolution is from certain remains
cultural traits
as a whole simple to of the earlier
are caused by
evolve in complex, from stages can be
psychic unity of
unilinear indefinite to traced, which
humankind&
sequence. definite and from are termed as
parallel
homogeneity to cultural
inventions.
heterogeneity. survivals.
▪ Both French and Scottish social and moral philosophers were using
evolutionary schemes during the 18th century. Montesquieu-
proposed an evolutionary scheme consisting of three stages: hunting
or savagery, herding or barbarism, and civilization. This tripartite
division became very popular. ( 19th century Tylor-Morgan modified
& used it.)
▪ By mid 19th century, Europeans had successfully explored, conquered
and colonized many earlier unknown parts of the globe.
▪ Cultural evolution – anthropology’s 1st systematic ethnological theory
– was intended to help explain this diversity among the peoples of the
world.
▪ Drawing upon Enlightenment thought, Darwin’s work, and new cross-
cultural, historical, and archaeological evidence, a whole generation of
social evolutionary theorists emerged such as Tylor and Morgan.
▪ Simpler contemporary societies were thought to resemble ancient
societies. In more advanced societies one could see proof of cultural
evolution through the presence of what Tylor called survivals – traces
of earlier customs that survive in present-day cultures. The making of
pottery is an example of a survival
 Born: England 2nd oct, 1832. Died 1917

▪ He is k/a father of modern anthropology, cultural

anthropology , comparative ethnology.
▪ E B Tylor talked about the unilinear form of cultural
growth.
▪ Tylor disagreed with ‘Cultural Degeneration’ arguments
of some early-19th-century French and English writers,
led by Comte. Tylor contended, Primitive groups had
“reached their position by learning and not by
unlearning.”
1st book- Anahauc (Mexico mecican ) 1861.
In this he concluded culture of Mexico developed
from primitive to civilized stage.
He applied the concept of ‘ survival ’ in a similar
manner like Maine & Mclennan
Survivals- are cultural(material non material)
remanant of past, that persist by the force of habbit
even after loosing its utility (mostly irrational).
Survivals acts as a proof of Earlier conditions &
helps in past reconstruction. (Maine & Mclennan
gave example of couvade & mock fight to explain
survivals).
2nd BOOK Researches into the early history of Mankind
& development of Civilization(1865).
In this he opined culture as a whole has progressed than
degenerated present civilization has emerged from Savagery
barbarism similarities in cultural traits complexes were due to
the Psychic Unity of Mankind (PUM) not diffusion.
Here again he used Adolf Bastian’s( German ethnologist)
concept of PUM. As similarity was without any cultural contact
in many places. E.g., Australian Abiogenies raising scars on
their bodies like African tribes. Circumcising amongst Jews ,
Arabs etc.
Because of the basic similarities in the mental framework of
all peoples, different societies often find the same solutions to
the same problems independently.
3rd Book --‘PRIMITIVE CULTURE’ (1871).
Three features of this book Doctorine of
Survivals, Theory of Animism & Scientific
definition of Culture.
Defined culture ––‘culture is that complex
whole which includes knowledge, belief, art,
morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities
and habits acquired by man as a member of
society’.
Tylor defined Religion as ‘Belief in
supernatural being’ originated as a belief in
soul & designated it with the term ANIMISM.
Stages of development of Religion
✓STAGE 1) Primitive man observed soul/spirit
making person alive spirit leaves person dies. As
this belief was without any scientific reasoning he
called primitive man SAVAGE PHILOSOPHER
✓STAGE 2) Belief in after life developed as dead
people appeared in dreams also the concept of
PHANTOM & 2 souls originated ( Body &
Ghost/free soul).
✓Stage 3) the earlier belief was extended to
include all natural elements like mountains,
seas, wells, plants etc. , as they too appeared in
dreams.
✓STAGE 4) Concept of Benevolent &
Malevolent.
✓STAGE 5) Concept of spirit possession,
demonics & Exorcism.
✓Stage 6) Fetishism(comte) which later
merges with Idolatry.
✓Stage 7) At this point primitive man started
drawing analogy b/w Human Nature
behavior --& believed causes of all natural
phenomenon were Natural Spirits which
caused rain, wind , etc. thus concept of
specific deities originated and introduced
polytheism.
✓Stage 8) finally concept of one supreme
deity & Monotheism came into Being.
Tylor also discusses the general belief in and
around ghost or free souls & says they roamed
around living beings & sometimes visits their
former homes.
Tylor also discusses two important concepts
(a) Metempsychosis - concept of transmigration
& possession.
(b)concept of Special residence in another
world ––(like today’s heaven hell).
Tylor also gave 2 more theories;
Continuance theory - concept of Punarjanam.
Retribution Theory – concept of
Qayamat/judgement day.
 CRITICISM

•Universal • No evidences • Arm chair

• Non scientific
generalization for his nature &
comparative
through evolutionary secondary
approach.
Psychic Unity schema. data.
 Classico
18th cent Montesquieu

Gave evolutionary sequence

Savagery Barbarism civilization

t t

enomy Hunting Harding

19th cent Rapid colonization by Europeans

t
seen diversity in culture
cultural shock Marriage
to death
European

starded recording diversity

1
Ethnological theories to explain diversity
I
started comparing data collected
I
Denied unilinear sequence
Form Darwin's work
 I
contusion simple contemporary society similar
to ancient societies

Survival of unfunctional things

G traces of earlier customs
eg
clay pottery still made

Fine am

E B TYLOR Born 1832

Death 1917

Known as

ero Cultural Anthro

infant
ethnology

Talked about unilinear evolution

G In
single direction
6 Doesn't evolve backward irreversible

0
He disagreed with of cultural
argument
 degeneration der in reverse order

Primitive tribe Always primitive not

reverse development

tribe reached this stage learning

by
not unlearning

Booksd

1stBook Ana have Mexico Mexican 1861

o
1856 study in Mexico
1
culture of Mexico developed from
primitive to civilised stage

He used concept of survival similiar to

Maine and Mclennan

kid These are material or non material

remanant of past that perist
by the force of habit even after
loosing its utility Mostly irrational
 Survival cuts as a proof of
earlier condition and help in
past reconstruction
e
g
Gond tribe bride t sex ratio in past
capture
Immaterial
G utility of marriage

Pottery making
Material d

e.g Couvade Psychological behaviour

In begining society was

Arhat Authority
Matri
I Lineal
Local
descent
Residence

Female dominant position

t
Because giving birth to new life

Met started behaving like pregnant

to Ct Authority
 Mimic labour pain
performance of same taboo rituals

Couvade
1
example of survival

2ndBoof Researches into the early history of

Mankind development of
civilization 11865

Argued culture as a whole progressed than

degenerated Present civilization has emerged
from savagery to barbarism
similarities in cultural trait complexes are

due to psychic unity of Mankind Pum

not diffusion

o
Pum concept of Adolf Bastian

e.g drought everywhere

1
Human fearful
I
started believing in supernatural power
 eg
spgbodies
Australian Aboriginal African tribes

It
Basic similarity in mental framework
of different society
f
same problem will have same solution

3rdBoof Primitive culture 1871

Gave three important concepts

Theory of
the scientific def
Animinism Doctrine of culture
of survival

Culture culture is that complex whole which

includes
knowledgetfart
and
morals
any other
law mitom
Capabilities and habits acquired by men
as a member of society learnt
Religion It is Belief in supernatural being

G origin Animism Belief in soul

stesofdwelopmentofreligion Animistic
theory
stud Animism
primitive man observed things in a

simple way

observed stages of life

Ithymandeadman
Power soul

logical basis
o
No imperial or

Hence called savage Philosopher

stage
Man created concept

Iya
types

Body Soul Free soul

Ghost soul
 Above concept generated from dreaming
dream walking
1

Free soul travels while we

are
sleeping

stage Belief of soul extented to

o
natural
objects and things
1
Rivers mountains ele
f

Appeared in dream
Hence also live in them
spirit
I

phenomenon of Naturism

staged
concept of
u
Benevoleptsoul Malevolentout

Good soul Bad soul

Not harm can harm
 staged
of
conf
demotes Exorcism
Belief in Evil
spiritpossession

staged
Fetishism Primitive Magic

skillfully crafted objects

I
believed to possess supernatural
power
g Tavis
e

0
Belief in superstitions

Later merged with

Iaaf
sculptures
SHH Belief connected to
implething
diety feeling to different
elements of Nature
rain
e.g
wind

o
primitive man started comparison
Human 4 Nature behaviour

concept of deities originated

I introduced
polytheism

Belief in multiple Gods

stages
Beiwein being
oneserm
Monotheism
Most advanced stage
 Taylor important concept

Metempsychosis
glove specialresidence

concept of transmigration Another world

4 possession C Heaven 4 Hell

otherythed
petitioned
gather
soul is indistructible G Qayamat or

Judgement day
Transform from one
form to other
1
Rebirth