Unlike
anthropologists before them Morton H. Fried, Marvin Harris and
Leslie White are including less about humans themselves in their
theories. When looking at the theories of earlier theorists (such
as Herbert Spencer) one can see that change seems to be driven by
human beings and their progress. Though it is not as prominent in
the theories of Fried, Harris and White, there is still a
relationship between humans and change.
Fried theorizes about the evolution of
social stratificationand the state, he takes 10,000 years of
archaeological data and forms a theory going from Stage A to Stage
D. Harris is focused in India, studying how the treatment of the
cow reflects the
culture. White
looks at energy and how a societys increased ability to harness
and save it has to do with technological advancement.
In each of these theories it is evident that under certain
circumstances
humanbeings are
relevant to the anthropological understanding of sociocultural
change.
Fried tells his readers about the development of society
through transition. The rankings of society start at Stage A where
there is a non-rank, non-stratified
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This
development varies according to the amount of energy per capita per
year harnessed and put to work (pg. 226). White also mentions the
use of technology and its role in the harnessing of energy. The
efficiency of the technology allows for cultural advancement due to
more energy being harnessed by man and being put to work
effectively.
White looks at all of this in terms of numbers, he quantifies
the amount of energy gained and needed in order to produce
culture-living and culture building. With efficient and effective
use of technology and tools comes more energy.
This advancement allows human beings the time and energy to
take care of their bodily needs food, water, shelter, etc. in
order to even think about harnessing extra energy
(pg.
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