Lecture 1 II Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is unilineal evolutionism?
Unilineal evolutionism is a 19th-century anthropological theory suggesting that all societies progress through the same series of stages, from simple to complex forms, often culminating in Western civilization as the “highest” stage.
Who are key figures associated with unilineal evolutionism?
Herbert Spencer: UK
Lewis Henry Morgan: US
Edward B. Tylor: UK
What are the stages of societal development proposed by Lewis Henry Morgan?
Savagery: Fire, bow, and pottery.
Barbarism: Domestication of animals, agriculture, and metalworking.
Civilization: Writing systems and complex societal structures.
How did Edward B. Tylor define culture?
Tylor defined culture as “the complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society.”
What critiques have been made of unilineal evolutionism?
Eurocentrism: It places Western society at the pinnacle of development.
Oversimplification: Ignores the diversity and non-linear paths of cultural evolution.
Ethnocentrism: Assumes other societies are “primitive” or less evolved.
What role did Herbert Spencer play in unilineal evolutionism?
Herbert Spencer popularized “survival of the fittest” and argued for a teleological view of evolution, where societies evolve toward greater complexity and heterogeneity.
How does unilineal evolutionism influence the study of music?
It led to early theories about the “origins” of music, with scholars attempting to trace a linear progression from “primitive” sounds to complex Western musical forms.
What theories about the origins of music align with unilineal evolutionism?
Darwin’s Theory: Music as a tool for mating and sexual selection.
Spencer’s Theory: Music derived from emotional speech.
Stumpf’s Theory: Music evolved from signaling behaviors.
What is the connection between unilineal evolutionism and the “Berlin School of Comparative Musicology”?
The Berlin School applied evolutionist ideas to music, seeking universal principles by comparing tonal systems, rhythms, and forms across “primitive” and “civilized” cultures.
How did Marxist theory diverge from unilineal evolutionism?
Karl Marx proposed a model of social evolution based on material conditions and class struggle, emphasizing economic systems over a linear cultural hierarchy.
What is “Kulturkreislehre,” and how does it relate to unilineal evolutionism?
“Kulturkreislehre,” or the theory of cultural circles, suggests that cultural traits spread from a central origin, offering an alternative to the unilineal idea of isolated, linear evolution.
