Meaning and Definition of Anthropology

Meaning and Definition of Anthropology

Where the term “Anthropology” comes from…

Etymologically, the term is derived from two ancient Greek words: “Anthropos” means "man," and “Logos” means "Science" or "study".

Therefore, we can say Anthropology is the study of man.

Meaning and Definition of Anthropology

Anthropology is the subject that studies man in his totality. It not only answers questions related to man and his evolution but also studies man as a social being.

Anthropology is the scientific study of human beings and all aspects of origin and history. It tries to understand the biological and cultural aspects of life among people and society.

Anthropology deals with human beings and considers them as complex social beings, which have the ability and capacity for language, thought, and culture.

Anthropology tries to understand and explore the cultural and biological aspects of life among humans and society throughout the world in the past, present, and future.

 

Definitions:

• Anthropology is the holistic study of humans and human society with respect to time and space systematically and scientifically. Here, time means the evolution of man during different time periods, and space means the man living in any corner of the globe.
• Anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity. It is the systematic exploration of human biological and cultural diversity.
• Anthropology is the study of the natural history of man, including all aspects of his evolution, physical, and social. (~ Collins Dictionary)
• Anthropology is the systematic and scientific study of human with its all-related aspect. whether it is physical, cultural, or any other aspects that we thing it is related to humans.

 

Major sub-branches of Anthropology

• Socio-cultural anthropology
• Biological/physical anthropology
• Prehistoric archaeology
• Linguistic anthropology