Final answer:
Franz Boas argued against using ethnocentric values to evaluate cultures, advocating for cultural relativism, and set the stage for modern anthropological methods. His work combated racism and contributed to a deeper, more respectful understanding of cultural diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In his essay "The Aims of Ethnology," Franz Boas made a compelling argument against the use of ethnocentric values in evaluating and understanding other cultures. Boas challenged the existing anthropological views that regarded certain cultures as primitive or less developed, and criticized the concept of ranking cultures on a single scale of progress towards civilization. He believed that cultures developed through a unique historical trajectory and constant cultural exchanges, rather than in isolation.
Boas held the notion that each culture should be studied and understood on its own terms, a concept now known as cultural relativism. His work emphasized that cultural developments are complex and cannot be simplified to fit an ethnocentric scale. By conducting detailed field research and prioritizing the collection of ethnographic data directly from the source, Boas laid the foundation for anthropological methods that promoted a more accurate and respectful understanding of different cultures, thus combating the biases of his era.
His research on the Kwakiutl peoples of Vancouver Island illustrates his approach. Boas recorded the myths, songs, and folklore in Native languages and approached their cultural activities with the intent to appreciate their linguistic and psychological aspects from an insider's point of view. Throughout his career, Boas actively spoke out against racism and the misuse of anthropological methods to justify white supremacist views. He demonstrated the influence of environmental factors, such as diet and medical care, on physical characteristics—debunking biological determinism and race theory.