Who is known as the Father of Modern Anthropology?

Franz Boas is recognized as the Father of Modern Anthropology due to his pivotal role in establishing the discipline as a rigorous scientific field. He is known for his advocacy of cultural relativism and the importance of understanding cultures in their own context rather than through the lens of Western norms. Boas challenged prevailing theories of his time that emphasized racial explanations for cultural differences and instead promoted the idea that culture is learned and varies significantly from one society to another. His approach laid the groundwork for subsequent anthropological research methods, including fieldwork and participant observation. His influence is evident in the way modern anthropology emphasizes the diversity of human experiences and the significance of cultural context in shaping behavior and social structures.