Franz Boas
July 9, 1858 - December 21, 1942
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Membership Type:
Member
(elected 1900)
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Franz Boas is regarded as both the “father of modern anthropology” and the “father of American anthropology.” He was the first to apply the scientific method to anthropology, emphasizing a research- first method of generating theories. Through this methodology Boas established the theory of cultural relativism, which states there are no absolutes among cultures; the beliefs and practices of a culture can be examined only within the confines of that particular culture.
