Social Darwinism in Anthropology

Anthropology –

Evolution

In the biological sciences, evolution is a scientific theory that explains the emergence of new varieties of living things in the past and in the present;

It is not a “theory of origin” about how life began.

Evolution accounts for the striking patterns of similarities and differences among living things over time and across habitats through the action of biological processes such as natural selection, mutation, symbiosis, gene transfer and genetic drift.

http://ncse.com/evolution

Movement of Europeans globally as travellers, pilgrims, missionaries, etc.. encouraged more detailed studies of human society.

Such as studies also commissioned and needed by governments.

Justification of poor employment conditions and slavery

This encouraged a distorted view of human diversity, otherwise known as:

Social Darwinism

Even though there was violence there was also:

· Interaction

· Learning (inter-cultural)

· Social change

· Adaption

People adapted to the changes of the day.

CULTURE:

‘Culture, or Civilization taken in its wide ethnographic sense, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society.’ – Edward Taylor

Heterogeneity – Variation within a group; physical, mental, cultural.

So what is diversity? & why should we study it?

· Heterogeneity, variation of people, things, ways of thinking and being.

· Source of creativity, livelihood, identity, conflict

· The long political heritage of diversity

· Better sense of self, empathy towards others, use of diversity for a fuller life.

· Need to examine past efforts at managing diversity – from segregation to integration.

· Efforts and challenges to effect diversity management in the present.

· Diversity as a source of conflict? Big questions about the ‘clash of civilizations’.

· Sustainable development comes from a deeper understanding and empathy for cultural/economic diversity.