Final answer:
The first individuals to identify as anthropologists began their work in the nineteenth century, with significant figures like Edward Tylor and Franz Boas shaping the early discipline. The field has faced critiques for its ethnocentric views and role in colonization but remains important for its holistic view on humanity. Medical anthropology gained recognition with a key textbook in 1978, marking its importance within the field.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first scholars to call themselves anthropologists began working in the nineteenth century. This period was marked by a European-centric perspective in which cultures were often categorized and judged by their similarity to European standards of civilization. Notable among the thinkers of this time was the British anthropologist Edward Tylor, who proposed a developmental scheme where cultures purportedly progressed from "savagery" to "barbarism" to "civilization." This method faced much criticism for being ethnocentric and hypothetical without direct evidence.
Later, anthropologists, influenced by Franz Boas, began to adopt a more rigorous approach to the study of cultures, acquiring data through ethnography and direct interaction with indigenous peoples. Despite this progress, the discipline has faced critiques, including its role in colonization and the exploitation inherent in anthropologists selling cultural objects for profit.
In the late 20th century, the foundation of medical anthropology was laid, with a landmark textbook published by George Foster and Barbara Anderson in 1978. Anthropology's significance remains as it provides a holistic view of human society, which is vital as we tackle the complex, interconnected challenges of the 21st century.