Final answer:
Darwin and Galton's views on cultural evolution were based on unilinear progression from primitive to civilized states, while Franz Boas introduced the concept of historical particularism, arguing for the unique development of cultures through interaction and adaptation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the field of anthropology, Charles Darwin and Francis Galton's approaches to culture were heavily rooted in the concept of unilinear cultural evolution, suggesting that cultures evolve along a single, progressive line. Darwin and his contemporaries, like British anthropologist Edward Tylor, aligned with theories of Social Darwinism, positing that cultural evolution mirrors the biological evolution of species—proceeding from 'primitive' to 'civilized' states in a linear fashion. Francis Galton extended Darwinian thought to the idea of eugenics, implying that human societies can be ranked in terms of their 'level of culture' based on inherited traits.
On the other hand, Franz Boas introduced a revolutionary perspective that countered these notions. He argued that cultures develop through their unique historical trajectories and interactions with other cultures, not in isolation or along a preordained path to civilization. Historical particularism, a term associated with Boas, emphasizes that each culture has its distinct history and must be understood on its own terms. Boas' work showed that culture cannot be judged or categorized simply by technological advancements or apparent complexity; rather, it should be viewed within the context of its environment and historical interactions. This perspective was foundational in discrediting racism and ethnocentrism in anthropology.