Anthropology it is a science that is dedicated to the in-depth study of the human being. It is a term of Greek origin, formed by “anthropos” (man, human) and “logos" (knowledge).
The reflection on societies, man and his social behavior has been known since Classical Antiquity for the thought of great philosophers. Highlights include the Greek Herodotus, considered the father of History and Anthropology.
However, it was only with the Enlightenment Movement in the 18th century that Anthropology developed as a social science, through the improvement of human methods and classifications. During this period, the reports of travelers, missionaries and merchants about the habits of the natives of the new lands discoveries and debates about the human condition, were very important for the development of studies anthropological.
Studying the human being and cultural diversity involves the integration of different disciplines that seek to reflect on all human dimensions. Historically, these dimensions occur in the division of anthropology into two major areas:
1. Physical or Biological Anthropology
Study the genetic and biological aspects of man. It is also called bioanthropology, and it is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of adaptation and evolution in man.
Among its objects of study are the genetic characteristics that differentiate people and enable them to survive in certain environments. As an example, when studying the conditions of the digestive system different from other humans, the resistance of the skin to the sun in regions of greater incidence, among other genetic issues.
THE forensic anthropology uses knowledge of biological anthropology to elaborate its sides of identification of corpses and studies on crimes, in order to be used by criminal law.
2. social anthropology
It analyzes man's behavior in society, social and political organization, social relations and social institutions.
Social anthropology differs from sociology in the object of investigation: while sociology is dedicated to understanding social movements and structures in a macro way, social anthropology is focused on the relationship that man establishes with these phenomena in a search more centered on being, in a "look at inside".
The North American division of anthropology does not use the concept of social anthropology, but the so-called cultural anthropology.
Cultural Anthropology investigates the cultural issues that involve man, including their customs, myths, values, beliefs, rituals, religion, language, among other aspects, fundamental in the formation of the concept of culture anthropological.
Concepts worked by social anthropology are the notions of culture it's from otherness.
Within the scope of cultural anthropology there are studies of linguistics and ethnography as fields of specialization.
THE ethnography is anthropology's own research method and corresponds to the so-called participant observation. The anthropologist, or who in this role can also be called an ethnographer, closely follows the group he is studying, living like them, within the community. From this field work, the anthropologist performs his analysis in his field diary, for then gather their practical insights into the theories seen in the literature review and then develop the work ethnographic.
See also the meaning of Social Sciences.
