Open Court Articles
The following articles are a selection of entries from the Open Court on anthropological topics. They include studies of the indigenous people of Mexico and the Ainu people of Japan as well as more theoretical conversations about the field.
An article from the July 1901 issue of the Open Court on French linguist and author Arthur de Gobineau, discussing a resurgence in the popularity of his views on race, language, and "degeneration" in Germany. Also enclosed is a letter from Paul Topinard in a following issue, arguing that Gobineau is out of date and suggesting that his popularity in Germany was linked to nationalism and a bid to justify taking over the German-speaking parts of Austria.
In addition to being remarkably prescient about the next several decades, this exchange shows the variety of viewpoints which distinguished the Open Court.
An article by Arthur Macdonald on the nature of anthropology, advocating for the study of "normal" man rather than exclusively "abnormal" cases. He also advocates for scientific study of prisoners and students.
He goes on to discuss his alleged findings in members of different populations as regards the shape of the skull, intelligence, sensitivity to pain, and sensitivity to heat, as well as his study of "abnormal" children and diseases.
A study of the indigenous Ainu people of Japan, authored by Paul Carus and quoting from research by Starr. (The photographs may be by Starr but are uncited.) The article is largely favorable in tone and discusses cultural practices, gender, and styles of dress, but an emphasis on the idea of "race" common in the anthropology of the time is obvious. Carus refers to the Ainu as a "white race," comparing them to Russian peasants.
An article by Frederick Starr with notes from Paul Carus on indigenous Mexican people, with selected photos from an upcoming book by Starr. The article has a particular focus on religious practices, but also discusses clothing and other cultural practices.
The article also includes photographs of several individuals and commentary on their physique and head shape. While the commentary is generally favorable, this demonstrates the pseudoscientific focus in the anthropology of the time on alleged links between behavioral and physical features.