Classical Evolutionism and neo-evolutionism share common premises but they differ in all other aspects.
Premises
- Evolution is a gradual process of change from simple to complex, from homogeneity to heterogeneity and from uncertainty to certainty.
- This concept can be applied to a cultural trait, an institution or on a whole culture.
- Evolution is a ceaseless process.
- The job of anthropologist or evolutionist includes tracing origin and sequence of evolution of society and culture.
• Differences between Classical Evolutionism and Neo-evolutionism
| Features | Classical Evolutionism | Neo-Evolutionism |
| Nature | Evolution of society & culture Synchronic study | Rejuvination of evolutionary study Diachronic study |
| Historical Background | Contribution of pre-Darwinian scholars& influenceof Darwinism | Reaction against functionalism & inspired by classical evolutionism |
| Period | Middle of 19th century | 3rd decade of 20th century |
| Scholars | Morgan & Tylor | White, Steward, Childe, Sahalin & Service |
| Data | 2nd hand data/ no data Imagination/ conjecturalism | First hard data No imagination/ no conjecturalism |
| Diffusion | Did not considere diffusion | Considered diffusion in study of evolution |
| Types of evolution | Unilinnear | Multilinnear-Stewards Universal- White & Childe General and Specific-Sahalin and Service |
| Cultural Diversity | Absent duet to unilineal evolution | Present due to multilinnear evolution |
| Psychic unity | Accepted | Rejected |
| Ethnocentrism | Victorian society highest stage of evolution | No such conclusions |
| Parallelism | Compared contemporary tribal to prehistoric societies | Did not use comparative method of study |
| Criticism | Due to conjecturalism, psychic unity, lack of cultural diversity, ethnocentrism, ignoring functionalism & diffusions | Due to individual scholars White:macrocutarist, ignored environment. Steward: core other than economic system |