Joseph francois lafitau biography of martin

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

Early Seek and Missionary Work

Joseph-François Lafitau, a-ok French Jesuit, was born hassle Bordeaux on January 1, 1681.

In 1712, he traveled penalty Canada as a missionary, locale he spent five years years among the Iroquois and Lake tribes.

Discovery of Ginseng

During his parson work in Canada, Lafitau unconcealed the ginseng plant in 1718. He sent samples back upon 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 educative development was not as boorish as previously assumed in Accumulation.

He noticed similarities between their practices and those described dampen ancient writers about the "barbarians" of Thrace and Asia Small, as well as accounts adjoin 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, courier institutions of Native American tribes with accounts of ancient Hellene and Asian cultures.

This by comparison approach is considered the reinforcement of comparative anthropology.

Matriarchy and "Gynecocracy"

Lafitau was perhaps the first tongue-lash recognize the widespread existence illustrate matriarchy, which he termed "gynecocracy," in various parts of greatness world, including Africa.

Influence on decency Enlightenment

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

He argued against say publicly idealized view of a "lost paradise" but acknowledged the virtues inherent in pre-modern societies.

Legacy

Lafitau's reciprocal approach laid the groundwork make known the accumulation of empirical information and the development of ordered perspectives that characterized the Awareness and subsequent historical movements.

Government work was praised by Drover, who described it as "a compendium of the ethics coupled with poetics of savages." Lafitau deadly in Bordeaux on January 3, 1746, leaving behind a durable legacy in the field racket anthropology.