Contributions of E.B.

Tylor
Edward Burnett Tylor (1832-1917) was a British anthropologist and one of the founders of modern anthropology.
His contributions to the field were numerous and significant, and he is widely regarded as one of the most
influential and important figures in the history of anthropology. Some of Tylor's key contributions to the field
include:
 Developing the concept of culture: Tylor is credited with introducing the concept of culture into
anthropology and defining it as "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." His concept of
culture was holistic, encompassing all aspects of human life and behavior, and he argued that it was a
fundamental aspect of human nature.
 Advocating for a comparative approach to anthropology: Tylor argued that the study of culture should be
comparative, examining the similarities and differences between cultures in order to understand their
unique characteristics and the ways in which they have evolved over time. He believed that this approach
would allow anthropologists to develop a more comprehensive understanding of human societies and
cultures.
 Establishing the principle of cultural evolution: Tylor was a strong proponent of the idea that cultures
evolve over time, and he argued that this process is driven by a natural progression from simple to more
complex forms of social organization. He believed that all cultures pass through a series of stages of
development, starting with simple, primitive societies and eventually culminating in advanced, modern
societies.
 Developing the concept of animism: Tylor argued that belief in spiritual beings and the supernatural was
a universal feature of human culture, and he coined the term "animism" to describe this belief. He argued
that animism was the earliest form of religion, and that it arose as a way for early humans to explain the
natural world and their own experiences.
 Conducting extensive fieldwork: Tylor conducted extensive fieldwork in various parts of the world,
including Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and he used this research to inform his theories
and ideas about culture and cultural evolution. His fieldwork helped to establish the importance of
firsthand observation and fieldwork in anthropology, and his writing and publications on his research were
widely read and influential.
 Influencing the development of anthropology as a discipline: Tylor's ideas and theories had a significant
impact on the development of anthropology as a discipline, and he is often considered one of the
founders of modern anthropology. His work helped to establish the importance of culture as a central
concept in the field and laid the foundation for many of the key ideas and theories that have shaped the
discipline over the past century.
 Advocating for a scientific approach to anthropology: Tylor believed that anthropology should be a
scientific discipline, and he argued that anthropologists should use the methods of science, including
observation, measurement, and the testing of hypotheses, to study culture and society. He believed that
this approach would allow anthropologists to develop more objective and accurate understandings of
human societies and cultures.
 Writing extensively on anthropology: Tylor published numerous books and articles on anthropology, and
his writing had a significant influence on the development of the field. His book "Primitive Culture" (1871)
was especially influential, and it established him as one of the foremost authorities on the subject. In this
book, he outlined his theory of cultural evolution and his ideas about the nature of culture and the ways in
which it evolves over time.
  Founded the Anthropology Department at Oxford University: Tylor was instrumental in the
establishment of the Anthropology Department at Oxford University, and he served as its first Professor of
Anthropology from 1884 until 1909. He was also a member of the Royal Anthropological Institute and the
British Association for the Advancement of Science, and he played a key role in the development of these
organizations and the promotion of anthropology as a discipline.
 Influencing the work of other anthropologists: Tylor's work had a significant influence on the work of
other anthropologists, and many of his ideas and concepts have continued to be influential in the field. His
ideas about culture, cultural evolution, and animism have been particularly influential, and they have
shaped the way that anthropology has been studied and understood over the past century.

In conclusion, Edward Burnett Tylor made numerous significant contributions to the field of anthropology, and his
work has had a lasting impact on the discipline. His ideas about culture, cultural evolution, and animism have
been particularly influential, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of
anthropology.