After the 1930s, the determinism theory was replaced by possiblism after the work of
Franz Boaz. Possibilism states that origin of specific cultural features or patterns are
generally found in historical tradition rather than in environment. Environment could
permit certain unique cultural phenomena but it is only not one that totally alters or
modifies the whole nature of specific culture.
The third approach, cultural ecology, recognizes that environment and culture are not
separate spheres but are involved in dialectical interplay. There is cause and effect
relationship between culture and environment as one influences the other. Julian
Steward regards the ecology/environment as an important causal factor behind social
institutions and all aspects of culture equally interact with the local environment
(Hardesty, 1977). Next human ecological approach is ‘ethno-ecology’ and it refers to
any such study done from group’s own point of view. The term ethno-ecology is
explicated by Conklin (1954) and Frake (1962a) and Rappoport (1963) proposes the
similar concept in his ‘cognized environment’ (Ibid).
Although Steward regards the ecology as important causal factor behind social
institutions, he is clear that not all features of culture can be explained in terms of
ecological adaptation. He distinguishes between the cultural core, the constellation of
features that are most closely related to subsistence activities and economic
arrangement such as political organization (Steward 1955:37, as cited in Hatch, 1977).
Ecological model helps the researchers to examine the interrelationship of
environment and culture (Molnar, 1981). Anthropological explanation of environment
with human behavior is ecological anthropology, which consists of the relationship
between socio-cultural systems and environment by the means of technological and a
social organizational adaptation.
According to Steward “the principal meaning of ecology is ‘adaptation to
environment’” Steward, 1955:30 as cited in Hatch, 1973:114). “[Human being] enter
the ecological scenes....not merely as another organization which is related to other
organism in terms of his physical characteristics. He introduces the super organic
factor of culture...”(Ibid). Man’s adaptation is achieved largely by means of culture.
“Cultural ecology is the study of the adjustment or relationship of culture to the
natural environment, and two distinct orders of phenomena are involved: the features
of the environment itself, and the cultural arrangements by which the environment is
0 comments:
Post a Comment