Franz Boas (born 1858) was a German-born American anthropologist who pioneered modern anthropology, he is known to many as the "father of American anthropology ". From a very young age Boas was interested in the natural sciences, but only much later did he discover an interest in the history of culture. Shortly after receiving his doctorate (1881) in geology from the University of Kiel, he went to Canada to conduct geographical research on Inuit migrations. Around the same time, Boas introduced the idea of ​​cultural relativism, the idea that cultures cannot be seen as better or worse than another. While a professor at Columbia University, he played a key role in organizing the American Anthropological Association (AAA) and forming the concept of the "four fields" in anthropology. Boas's most important contributions to anthropology were the study of the Inuit, the introduction of the idea of ​​cultural relativism, and the organization of the AAA. During Boas's trip to Canada to study the geological impact of Inuit migrations, Boas found that he was intrigued by their culture and began to consider et...