1. Anthropology: Edward Burnett Taylor (1832-1917)According to Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004••English cultural anthropologistFirst to hold the chair in the subject at Oxford University in the UK in 1896• Coined the term "culture"• Wrote "Researches into the Early History of Mankind and the Development ofCivilization"2. History: Herodotus (484 B.C - 425 B.C) According to Mark, 2018•· Greek Historian⚫ Treated historical subjects as a method of investigation• Collected historical materials systematically and critically and arranged them intoa historical narrative.• Wrote "Histories" which is the record of ancient traditions and culture of Greece,Asia and Africa3. Economics: Adam Smith (1723 - 1790) According to Butler, 2016°•Founder of Classical SchoolConstructed an explanation on how social behavior is regulated• Saw a world where each person sought their own self-interest but wasconstrained by morality, markets and government• Wrote "Wealth of the Nations" in 17764. Geography: Eratosthenes (276 B.C 194 B.C) According to Russell, 2017•Greek geographer• Became chief librarian at the Library of Alexander°Accepted theconceptthat theEarth isround andcalculated its circumference to within 0.5 percent accuracy• Described the known areas of the world and divided the earth into five climaticregionsPrepared the earliest maps of the known world5. Linguistic: Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) According to Mambrol, 2018Swiss linguist• Posited that linguistic form is arbitrary and therefore that all languages function
Answer (1)
This is a fascinating list of influential figures in various academic disciplines! Let's break down each entry and highlight their key contributions: 1. Anthropology: Edward Burnett Tylor (1832-1917) - Key Contributions:- Founder of Cultural Anthropology: Tylor's work established the field of cultural anthropology as a distinct discipline. [[1, 3, 4]]- Defined "Culture": He famously defined culture as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." This definition is still widely used today. [[1, 3]]- Evolutionary Perspective: Tylor believed that cultures evolved through stages, from savagery to barbarism to civilization. This concept of cultural evolution was influenced by Darwin's theory of biological evolution. [[1]]- First Professor of Anthropology at Oxford: He held the first chair in anthropology at Oxford University, solidifying the discipline's academic standing. [[1, 2, 4]]- Influential Works: His books, "Researches into the Early History of Mankind and the Development of Civilization" (1865) and "Primitive Culture" (1871), are considered foundational texts in anthropology. [[1, 3]] 2. History: Herodotus (484 B.C - 425 B.C) - Key Contributions:- Father of History: Herodotus is often called the "Father of History" for his groundbreaking approach to historical writing.- Systematic Investigation: He treated historical subjects as a method of investigation, collecting information systematically and critically. [[1]]- Narrative Approach: He arranged his findings into a narrative, creating a compelling and engaging account of history. [[1]]- "Histories": His work, "Histories," is a valuable record of ancient traditions and cultures in Greece, Asia, and Africa. [[1]] 3. Economics: Adam Smith (1723 - 1790) - Key Contributions:- Founder of Classical Economics: Smith is considered the founder of classical economics, a school of thought that emphasizes free markets and limited government intervention. [[1]]- "Invisible Hand": He introduced the concept of the "invisible hand," suggesting that individuals pursuing their own self-interest can inadvertently benefit society as a whole through market mechanisms.- "Wealth of Nations": His most famous work, "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations" (1776), laid the foundation for modern economic theory. [[1]] 4. Geography: Eratosthenes (276 B.C - 194 B.C) - Key Contributions:- Calculated Earth's Circumference: Eratosthenes is renowned for his remarkably accurate calculation of the Earth's circumference, using a method based on the angle of the sun's rays at different locations.- Early Maps: He prepared some of the earliest known maps of the world, based on the geographical knowledge of his time. [[1]]- Climate Zones: He divided the Earth into five climatic zones, a significant contribution to the understanding of global climate patterns. [[1]] 5. Linguistics: Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913) - Key Contributions:- Founder of Structuralism: Saussure is considered the founder of structuralism in linguistics, a school of thought that emphasizes the underlying structures and systems of language.- Arbitrary Sign: He argued that the relationship between a word's form and its meaning is arbitrary, meaning that there is no inherent connection between them. This concept has had a profound impact on the study of language.- Langue and Parole: He distinguished between "langue" (the underlying system of language) and "parole" (individual speech acts), a key distinction in linguistic theory. Overall: This list showcases the incredible diversity of intellectual pursuits and the lasting impact of these individuals on their respective fields. Their work continues to shape our understanding of the world and inspire new generations of scholars.
