METHOD OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY;- Comparative Method
The method of anthropological study is the comparative method by which
anthropology aims to know whether all societies are alike or each one is
unique. Anthropology studies social, cultural, economic, political and
biological aspect of man with comparative approach. At social level, topic
such as marriage, family, kinship, tribe and caste, Tribe and band, varna
and caste are studied with comparative approach. At cultural level, the
difference between
Culture and civilization
Religion and magic
Animism and animatism
Primitive religion and world religion are studied.
At economic level: the difference between primitive economy and modern
economy, between economics and Economic anthropology are studied. At
political level, differences regarding state and stateless political system and
comparing the legal system of simple and complex societies are studied.
Thus from method point of view, Robin Fox has rightly remarked:-
“Anthropology is comparative study of societies and cultures”
However anthropology has outgrown from its traditional concern of
showing similarities and differences or showing unity and diversity among
human beings/societies. Now the goal of anthropology is to stress on unity
among human being. The goal of anthropology as expressed by Franz Boas,
pioneer of American anthropology: “Mankind is one, civilizations are
many”. John Beattie in book “other culture” said people all over the world
are fundamentally alike. This goal of anthropology is also reflected in the
following generalisation:-“Genetic similarities far outweigh, the racial
differences among men”asked as a question inUPSC 1981