What is anthropology

Anthropology is a complex of disciplines, which subject of study is man and human society in all its aspects. This definition is clear from a literal translation of the term "science of man" (from the Greek antropos – "man" and logos – "science"). Throughout the long history of development anthropology of the nuances of this value is constantly changing, but the General sense has always been one.

Instruction

It is believed that the origins of this science takes in Ancient Greece. It was then that ancient scholars had accumulated a lot of knowledge about the person. The first contributions were the works of Hippocrates, Herodotus, Socrates, etc. In the same period, Aristotle was introduced and the term "anthropology". Then they described mainly the spiritual side of human life, and this value was maintained over thousands of years.

Changes have occurred in 1501, when M. Hundt, in its anatomical composition, first used the term "anthropology" in the description of the physical structure of the human body. Since that time, anthropology is perceived as a science that combines knowledge about the human soul and the human body.

This approach is preserved in General till our time. There are two areas: anthropology biological (physical) and non-biological (socio-cultural). The subject of biological anthropology are, respectively, the biological properties of human and non-biological – his spiritual and mental world. Sometimes in a separate branch is allocated a philosophical anthropology, a subject whose study is man as a special kind of being.

Anthropology is closely connected with many other Sciences, will occupy a special place. Studying the transition from the existence of animals human ancestors, in accordance with the biological laws to human life according to the patterns of social, anthropology covers both natural history and socio-historical questions. In this sense, anthropology is like a "crown" of science.

Since the second half of the XIX century anthropology serves as an independent scientific discipline. Established scientific anthropological society, published the first anthropological work. Science developed rapidly and by the XX century was developed by public and private anthropological techniques generated specific terminology, principles of research, accumulated and systematized material on diversity of man.

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