Camille Joseph - Thinking Relatively : Franz Boas and the Concept of « Type »

societes-plurielles:4247 - Sociétés plurielles, February 1, 2018, 2 | 2018 - Epistemologies of the plural - https://doi.org/10.46298/societes-plurielles.2018.4247
Thinking Relatively : Franz Boas and the Concept of « Type »Article

Authors: Camille Joseph 1

This article focuses on the concept of « type » in Franz Boas’ work. Based on a close examination of his main anthropometrical texts, it sheds light on the way Boas used statistical methods in order to criticize the taxonomic approach of physical anthropology. Instead, he developed a perspective where relations between types are put forward and emphasized the importance of variability and correlation phenomena. By using the plural “types”, Boas was able to consider human plasticity as a scene for borrowing and intermixture.


Volume: 2 | 2018 - Epistemologies of the plural
Section: Articles
Published on: February 1, 2018
Imported on: January 31, 2018
Keywords: Evolutionismus,Franz Boas,Anthropometrie,USA,20. Jahrhundert,physische Typen,anthropometry,United States,20th century,evolution theory,physical types,XXe siècle,types physiques,évolutionnisme,anthropométrie,États-Unis,[SHS.SOCIO]Humanities and Social Sciences/Sociology

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