HISTORICAL PARTICULARISM

(Adam Keth Laquio, MA SocSci student, 2019)

Historical particularism is one component under to Boasian anthropology. Along with it

are cultural relativism, diffusion and independent invention, and salvage ethnography. This brief

reflection on Historical particularism will be laid in relation to the other components of Boasian

anthropology.

Commonly called historicism, this theory by an American anthropologist Franz Boas was

a product of his field work with Kwakiutl Indians from Northern Vancouver and British

Columbia, Canada (Dolentz). This is in contrast to Lewis Morgan’s universal evolutionary path

in explaining the current cultures as one. Historicism understands society or country by

explaining its unique history and development. Historically, countries are independent from one

another paving the way for unique inventions for survival and living. This is possible especially

for places that are impossible to make contact due to geographical barriers such as dessert and

oceans. However, due to differing geographical realities at home, nearby places also tend to

develop their unique materials for the same purpose. Inevitably, places came in contact with one

another making their ideas and inventions diffused between cultures. This diffusion then resulted

to a more advanced ways and innovations for each one. At some aspect, they might develop huge

similarities but this does not guarantee a kind of oneness since a place will always be dictated by

its unique cultures, traditions and other aspect in society. It is paramount to understand people

not just by its unique history but also in relation to its unique culture and that is cultural

relativism. This paved the way for realizing the problem of ethnocentrism that views a person’s

culture as superior to others. Modernity brought cultures closer together making each unique
identity in danger from extinction. Several measures are provided to avert obliteration due to

acculturation and assimilation on any culture and this would include the application of salvage

ethnography where information and objects are preserved for understanding the necessity of the

same. Sometimes, this would remind the abundance and beauty of the culture’s past. This theory

by Boas paved the way for more reliable analysis for countries to effectively engage in this era

where countries are more interconnected.

At present, several books have been produced that adheres to Boas’ idea. Some are

written by international authors while others are local who are viewed as champions of their

unique culture and history. Michael Hawkins’ MAKING MOROS for example is an important

attempt by an international author to explain the significant development of the life of Moros in

the southern region of the Philippines which is Mindanao. Another example is Neil Sheehan’s A

BRIGHT AND SHINING LIE that laid the mistakes committed by the American mission during

the Vietnam War. This book is a concrete example of the necessity of understanding the culture

of a place. Lastly, we have Noah Feldman’s COOL WAR that tries to explain the possibility or

impossibility of another international war through analyzing the current competing superpowers

which are USA and China from their own unique history, culture and current political structure.

A lot can be sighted to explain the significance of Boas’ extensive work to our time.

Understanding culture should not be limited to a single point of view. The lesson posed

by historicism is the necessity of knowing each society to better understand and plan the future

of humanity and the world.