Leslie White
American anthropologist who theorized cultural evolution driven by energy capture and technology.
Most quoted
"Culture is an organization of phenomena—acts (patterns of behavior), objects (tools; things made with tools), ideas (beliefs, knowledge), and sentiments (attitudes, values)—that is dependent upon the use of symbols."
— from The Science of Culture, 1949
"Culture evolves as the amount of energy harnessed per capita per year increases, or as the efficiency of the instrumental means of putting the energy to work increases."
— from The Science of Culture, 1949
"Energy, whether in the form of solar radiation or fossil fuels, is the key to cultural development."
— from Energy and the Evolution of Culture, 1943
All quotes by Leslie White (103)
The symbol is the basic unit of culture.
Culture is a system of interacting parts.
The evolution of culture is a process of increasing differentiation and integration.
The human organism is merely a medium through which culture expresses itself.
Culture is a continuum, not a series of discrete entities.
The concept of culture is the most important contribution of anthropology to human knowledge.
The study of culture is the study of human behavior in its broadest sense.
The symbol is the key to understanding human behavior.
Culture is a mechanism for adapting to the environment.
The evolution of culture is a process of increasing complexity.
The human mind is a social product.
Culture is a system of extrasomatic means of adaptation.
The primary function of culture is to serve the needs of man.
The study of culture is a scientific endeavor.
The symbol is the distinguishing characteristic of man.
Culture is a cumulative process.
The evolution of culture is a unilinear process.
The human species is unique in its ability to create and use symbols.
Culture is a system of learned behavior.
The technological factor is the most important determinant of cultural evolution.
Contemporaries of Leslie White
Other Anthropologys born within 50 years of Leslie White (1900–1975).