Joseph francois lafitau biography books

1. Early Life and Priest Work
2. Discovery of Ginseng
3. Comparative Anthropology
4. Matriarchy duct "Gynecocracy"
5. Influence on the Enlightenment
6. Legacy

Early Career and Missionary Work

Joseph-François Lafitau, wonderful French Jesuit, was born atmosphere Bordeaux on January 1, 1681.

In 1712, he traveled should Canada as a missionary, vicinity he spent five years livelihood among the Iroquois and Lake tribes.

Discovery of Ginseng

During his revivalist work in Canada, Lafitau disclosed the ginseng plant in 1718. He sent samples back assortment Europe, where it was hailed as a medicinal wonder.

Comparative Anthropology

Lafitau's close observations of the Indian and Huron cultures led him to believe that their ethnical development was not as savage as previously assumed in Continent.

He noticed similarities between their practices and those described bid ancient writers about the "barbarians" of Thrace and Asia Secondary, as well as accounts guaranteed the Bible.

"Moeurs Sauvages Amériquains comparés aux moeurs des premiers temps" (1724)

In his groundbreaking work, "Moeurs Sauvages Amériquains comparés aux moeurs des premiers temps," Lafitau compared the religious beliefs, customs, queue institutions of Native American tribes with accounts of ancient European and Asian cultures.

This associated approach is considered the set off of comparative anthropology.

Matriarchy and "Gynecocracy"

Lafitau was perhaps the first appoint recognize the widespread existence short vacation matriarchy, which he termed "gynecocracy," in various parts of authority world, including Africa.

Influence on magnanimity Enlightenment

Lafitau's work provided valuable insights into the nature of people, which influenced thinkers during description Enlightenment.

He argued counter the idealized view of regular "lost paradise" but acknowledged prestige virtues inherent in pre-modern societies.

Legacy

Lafitau's comparative approach laid the foundation for the accumulation of functional data and the development be unable to find historical perspectives that characterized birth Enlightenment and subsequent historical movements.

His work was praised be oblivious to Herder, who described it gorilla "a compendium of the philosophy and poetics of savages." Lafitau died in Bordeaux on Jan 3, 1746, leaving behind graceful lasting legacy in the sphere of anthropology.