LESLIE A WHITE
Energy technological theory of evolution
universal cultural evolutionist
historical background
brought up under boasean approach,not satisfied with boas quest for data. said anthro can advance only if it is able to generalize or give theory
influenced by evolutionist , their findings were of high order. problem - did not know universal standard o measuring evolution
methodology
premises
universal standard of measurement - terms of energy and technology
measuring univ standard with help of energy
technology for harnessing energy
interested in most fundamental principle because of which evolution occurs and not interested in evolution of particular culture
simple societies - pastoralists , less energy and T use , used free floating energy
agricultural society - more energy and T use
civilization - highest T and energy use
energy can be measured in terms of harnessing per capita per individual
energy not harnessed by itself , here AXE is a technique coupled with energy obtained manually. without technique the energy remains free floating
three possibilities
(low)E X (high)T = CULTURE (inferior quality)
(high)E X (low)T = CULTURE(inferior quality)
(high)E X (high)T = CULTURE(Superior quality)
basis of E and T gave two laws
degree of cultural development varies directly as the amount of energy per capita per year harnessed, other things remaining equal
other things remaining equal, cultural development varies directly as efficiency of technological means with which energy is harnessed
both were combined and law given : amount of E harnessed or efficiency of T is increased , both factors increased simultaneously , it is called cultural development
criticism
no ethnological evidence for correlation between T and social organizations
E and T theory questioned since 1960s due to new forms of energy like nuclear and chemical
Robert Loewi - white's theory is immature metaphysical notion
negligible place to the role of evolution of particular society hence called universal cultural evolutionist
considered environmental factor constant