Anthropology (the study of humans and their cultures)

Author: (British) Edward B. Tylor
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The content of this book explores both the human body itself and human cultural activities, with a focus on cultural studies. The author summarizes his earlier academic research in this work. He not only provides concise discussions on the characteristics of humans and races but also offers comprehensive introductions to all cultural phenomena, especially those related to primitive cultures—such as technology, art, and social structures—that were either not covered or only briefly addressed in Primitive Culture.
From the content perspective, this book serves not only as a foundational theoretical work in anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, folkloristics, and folk literature but also as a valuable reference for revisiting and studying fields such as history, sociology, religion, the history of science and technology, the history of philosophy, cultural history, intellectual history, and the history of education.
"Anthropology" originates from the Greek word anthropos, meaning "human," and is an interdisciplinary field that bridges natural and social sciences, studying both the human being and its culture. This book adopts an integrated approach to examine the two fundamental attributes of humans—biological and cultural—encompassing prehistoric cultures, cultures of the civilized era, the culture of one's own nation, and that of other nations. It investigates the origins, growth, and evolution of human culture, explores the general and specific laws governing cultural development, analyzes and compares the similarities and differences among cultures of various ethnic groups, regions, and communities, examines the structure, function, and symbolism of cultural phenomena, and studies the relationship between individuals and culture or society.