Overlap in the Theories of Chagnon and Morgan

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Cultural anthropology is defined as a branch of anthropology deals with human culture, especially in respect to social structure, language, law, politics, religion, magic, art, and technology (“Defining Anthropology”). In this essay, I will talk of the lives of two very prominent anthropologists. The first is Lewis Henry Morgan who was active in the late 1800s and second, the controversial anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon who started his work in the 1960s. Even with the large gap in time, quite a few of their ideologies and theories do overlap. In this paper, I will explore the connection between Lewis Morgan and Napoleon Chagnon. I will start with Morgan’s background, then his theories, fieldwork, methodology, and legacy. For Chagnon, I will talk of his background, then his theories, fieldwork, methodology, and controversies. Lewis Henry Morgan was born on November 21st, 1818 in upstate New York. He was raised there until he went to Cayuga Academy, then to Union College to study both Law and the Classics. After he began to practice law in Rochester, where he developed an interest in Native American culture. While studying history and culture of Native Americans, he got involved with the local community called the Seneca tribe. Morgan then studied the culture and structure of the Senenca tribe, and that is when he first developed interest in kinship terms. He got married to Mary Steele, and they gave birth to a son, Lemuel. In 1852 Morgan and other upstanding men founded the University of Rochester (“Lewis Henry Morgan”). Morgan’s become interested in the theory of cultural evolution as he furthered his fieldwork. This theory is the idea that cultures start from a simple form, and grows to a more complex form. Morgan in particul... ... middle of paper ... .... "How Napoleon Chagnon Became Our Most Controversial Anthropologist." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 13 Feb. 2013. Web. Golden, Serena. "Interview with Controversial Anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon."Inside Higher Ed. N.p., 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. "Leslie A. White." Leslie A. White. NNDB, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. "Lewis Henry Morgan (American Anthropologist)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. "Lewis Henry Morgan Papers." Morgan, Lewis Henry. University of Rochester, n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. Morgan, Lewis. "Ancient Society." Ancient Society by Lewis H. Morgan 1877. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. "Napoleon Chagnon." Who Is Log. University of Michigan, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. Wilson, David. "Napoleon Chagnon: The Fierce Sociobiologist." This View Of Life. Binghampton University, 27 Oct. 2013. Web.

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