Edward Burnett Tylor Theory of Culture
Edward Burnett Tylor was one of the first people to try to explain what culture is in a scientific and systematic way. He was an English anthropologist who lived during the 1800s, and he is often considered one of the founders of modern anthropology. His most famous work is a book called *Primitive Culture*, published in 1871. In this book, he introduced a very important and simple definition of culture that has influenced how people think about human societies for over a century.
Tylor defined culture as “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” In simple terms, he meant that culture is everything we learn as members of a group. It is not just about music, clothes, or food. Culture includes the way we think, the way we act, and the rules we follow. It includes both what we do every day and what we believe deep inside. It is what people pass down from one generation to the next, not through biology but through teaching and learning.
Tylor believed that culture was what separated humans from animals. Animals may have instincts, but they do not build complex belief systems, write books, or create rituals. Humans, on the other hand, build traditions and knowledge over time. This knowledge is stored in the form of language, stories, religious beliefs, tools, social rules, and so much more. Every person is born into a society and learns its culture by growing up in it. You do not need to be taught everything in school; you pick up a lot just by being part of a family, watching others, and participating in everyday life.
Another important part of Tylor’s theory was the idea that culture evolves. He believed that human societies move from simple to more complex forms over time. This idea is known as cultural evolution. According to Tylor, early human societies started with basic ways of living, believing in simple spirits or forces in nature. Over time, they developed more advanced systems of religion, government, and science. He thought of this change as a kind of ladder. At the bottom were what he called “primitive” cultures, and at the top were what he saw as the “civilized” cultures of Europe in his own time.
Today, many people criticize this view because it treats some cultures as better or more advanced than others. It also reflects the colonial mindset of the 1800s, when European countries ruled over many parts of the world and believed they were superior. Modern anthropologists believe that all cultures are different but equal, and they do not put them in a ranking system. Still, Tylor’s idea of cultural evolution was important at the time because it encouraged people to study other cultures seriously, instead of just judging them.
One of the key parts of Tylor’s theory was his focus on religion. He believed that religion also evolved over time. In his view, the earliest form of religion was something he called animism. Animism is the belief that spirits live in natural things, like animals, trees, rivers, or the wind. People believed that these spirits had power and could affect their lives. Over time, Tylor believed, animism led to more organized religions, including polytheism (belief in many gods) and then monotheism (belief in one god). He saw this as a process of growth and progress.
Tylor also introduced the idea of “survivals.” These are customs or beliefs that continue to exist even after people forget their original purpose. For example, knocking on wood for good luck or saying “bless you” when someone sneezes may have started as religious or magical actions, but people still do them today without really thinking about why. Tylor thought these survivals were like fossils—leftover pieces of old ways of thinking that still show up in modern life.
Tylor’s work helped to shape the way people think about culture as something learned and passed on. Before him, many people thought about human behavior mostly in terms of biology or race. Tylor helped shift the focus to learning and environment. He showed that what makes people different is not their blood or their skin color, but the culture they grow up in. He believed that by studying culture, we can understand why people behave the way they do, and we can also see the common patterns that connect different societies.
Even though some parts of Tylor’s theory are outdated, his work is still very important because it helped create a scientific way to study human beings. He was one of the first to say that culture is not just something fancy or artistic—it is a basic part of human life. Every society has culture, and every human being is shaped by it. This idea has become the foundation for anthropology, sociology, and many other fields.
Tylor’s definition of culture also helped people understand that no one is born with culture in their genes. People learn how to act, think, and believe by being part of a group. That means culture can change. New ideas, new tools, and new ways of living can change the way people behave. At the same time, culture can also be very powerful in shaping people’s thoughts and actions. Sometimes, people do things simply because “that is the way we do it,” even if they do not remember where the tradition came from. This is why culture is both flexible and strong. It can adapt to new times, but it also holds people together by giving them shared values and meaning.
In today’s world, where people from different cultures interact more than ever before, understanding Tylor’s theory of culture is still helpful. It reminds us that we should not judge people just because they act or think differently. Instead, we should try to learn about the culture that shaped them. Every culture has its own history, logic, and beauty. By studying culture with an open mind, we can understand each other better and build a more respectful and peaceful world.
In conclusion, Edward Burnett Tylor gave us one of the first scientific definitions of culture and opened the door for the study of human societies through a cultural lens. He taught that culture is learned, shared, and passed down through generations. He believed in cultural evolution and tried to trace how customs and religions developed over time. While some of his ideas have been challenged or replaced by newer thinking, his basic message—that culture is the key to understanding human behavior—still remains powerful. Culture is what makes us human, and studying it helps us understand ourselves and others.
By Khushdil Khan Kasi
