Sign-In
Cart
Primitive Culture - Volume Two: Researches into the development of mythology, philosophy, religion, language, art, and custom (Fourth Edition)
Paperback
Series: Serpent Library Classics in Magic, Religion and Folklore
AnthropologyGeneral Christianity
ISBN13: 9789199018645
Publisher: Serpent Books
Published: Sep 5 2025
Pages: 494
Weight: 1.44
Height: 1.10 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Edward Burnett Tylor (1832-1917) was an English scholar widely considered the founder of anthropology as a scientific discipline. His monumental two-volume work Primitive Culture, first published in 1871, stands as one of the most consequential texts in the history of the social sciences. The second volume, often subtitled Religion in Primitive Culture, deals mainly with Tylor's interpretation of animism and represents the intellectual culmination of his evolutionary framework for understanding human religious and spiritual life. Here, Tylor focuses on animism in society, exploring the tremendous diversity of thinking related to the concepts of the soul and religion, as well as the marked similarities of spiritual beliefs across widely separated cultures. Tylor's principal thesis posits that animism-the ascription of a living soul to flora, inanimate objects, and natural occurrences-represents the primordial and most fundamental form of religious belief, from which all subsequent religious systems have developed. This thesis was groundbreaking for its era, offering a comparative and rationalist framework for the study of religion at a time when such inquiry was largely confined to theological circles.
Unlike his contemporaries, Tylor did not link biological evolution to cultural evolution, asserting that all human minds are the same irrespective of a society's state of evolution. This egalitarian premise underpins the entire volume: Tylor treats the spiritual beliefs of so-called primitive peoples not as mere superstition or error, but as rational attempts to explain the world, emerging from the same cognitive foundations as the religious systems of more advanced civilizations. The volume covers an extraordinary range of ethnographic evidence, drawing on accounts from Africa, the Americas, Polynesia, Asia, and ancient Europe to demonstrate that core spiritual concepts-the soul, the ghost, the deity, spirit possession, sacrifice, and prayer-recur across human history with remarkable consistency.
The volume also examines the evolution of spiritual beings beyond the individual soul, tracing the development of nature spirits, demons, and eventually polytheism and monotheism. Tylor surveys animistic practices such as fetishism-the attribution of spiritual power to objects-and idol worship, situating them within a broader evolutionary arc of religious thought. His analysis of shamanism, spirit possession, divination, and magic demonstrates how these phenomena reflect coherent, internally logical systems of belief rather than random irrationality.
The comparative method Tylor employs throughout this volume-drawing parallels between geographically and historically distant cultures to identify universal patterns-became a cornerstone of anthropological methodology. Though later scholars would critique Tylor's unilinear evolutionism and the colonial assumptions embedded in terms like savage and primitive, the intellectual ambition and empirical density of this volume remain impressive. It offers a panoramic survey of human spiritual life, from ghost beliefs among tribal peoples to the theology of ancient civilizations-unified by a single, powerful theoretical vision. For students of anthropology, religious studies, and intellectual history, Primitive Culture, Volume II remains an indispensable and endlessly fascinating document of how the modern world began to study itself comparatively and to ask what it truly means to be human.
Nikolas Arhem is a cultural anthropologist with many years of experience in the fields of witchcraft studies, animism, and fetishism. He has done fieldwork in West Africa and Southeast Asia.
Also from
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Researches into the Early History of Mankind and the Development of Civilization
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Hardcover
Primitive Culture - Volume One: Researches into the development of mythology, philosophy, religion, language, art, and custom (Fourth Edition)
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Paperback
Primitive Culture: Researches Into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and Custom; Volume 2
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Hardcover
Einleitung in Das Studium Der Anthropologie Und Civilisation. Deutsche Autorisirte Ausg. [Of Anthropology] Von G. Siebert
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Hardcover
Primitive Culture: Researches Into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and Custom; Volume 2
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Paperback
On American Lot-Games: As Evidence of Asiatic Intercourse Before the Time of Columbus
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Paperback
On American Lot-Games: As Evidence of Asiatic Intercourse Before the Time of Columbus
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Hardcover
Einleitung in Das Studium Der Anthropologie Und Civilisation. Deutsche Autorisirte Ausg. [Of Anthropology] Von G. Siebert
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Paperback
Primitive Culture: Researches Into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Language, Art and Custom; Volume 1
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Paperback
Primitive Culture: Researches Into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Language, Art and Custom; Volume 1
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Hardcover
Researches into the Early History of Mankind and the Development of Civilization
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Paperback
Totem-Post From the Haida Village of Masset; Two British Columbian House-Posts With Totemic Carvings; Remarks On Totemism
Tylor, Edward Burnett
Paperback
Also in
General Christianity
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Destiny of Modern Societies: The Calvinist Predestination of a New Society
Zafirovski, Milan
Paperback
The Death of Christ: The Bible and Popular Culture Vs Archaeological and Historical Evidence
Rutledge, Steven
Hardcover
The Gnostic Secrets of the Naassenes: The Initiatory Teachings of the Last Supper
Gaffney, Mark H.
Paperback
A Child Shall Lead Them PB: Martin Luther King Jr., Young People, and the Movement
Burrow, Rufus
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers
Muddamalle, Joel
Paperback
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated: A Year-Long Bible Study
Lucado, Max
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
Church History in Plain Language, Fifth Edition: The Story of the Church for Today's Readers
Shelley, Bruce
Paperback
Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within
Mitchell, Philip Anthony
Hardcover
The Elijah Mandate: A Call to Courageous Faith in a Hostile World
Tsarfati, Amir
Piflaks, Tolik
Paperback
Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them
Strong, Jeff
Paperback
Christian Beliefs, Revised Edition: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know
Grudem, Wayne A.
Paperback
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
Kobes Du Mez, Kristin
Paperback
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Hardcover
Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy
Jones, Robert P.
Hardcover
Jesus & Your Mental Health: Linking God's Word and Modern Science to Find Peace about Mental Health
Maxwell Lmft, Rebecca
Paperback
Determined to Believe?: The Sovereignty of God, Freedom, Faith, and Human Responsibility
Lennox, John C.
Paperback
When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without
Story, Laura
Paperback
Friendship in the Lord: A Catholic Classic on Holy Friendship and Life in Christ a Christian Classic
Hinnebusch Op, Paul
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV, XIV
Paperback
The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies
Turek, Frank
Hayes, Phoenix
Paperback
Sounding the Seasons Enlarged Edition: One Hundred and Ten Sonnets for the Christian Year
Guite, Malcolm
Paperback
The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important That Happens in Between
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Strobel, Lee
Mittelberg, Mark
Paperback
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume
Meyer, Marvin W.
Robinson, James M.
Paperback
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
Comer, John Mark
Hardcover
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd Edition
Concordia Publishing House
Hardcover
Tactics Study Guide, Updated and Expanded: A Guide to Effectively Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
Bloodline Deliverance Study Manual: How to Set Yourself, Your Family, and Your Bloodline Free from Demons and Curses
Brewer, Mike
Brewer, Andrea
Paperback
The Official Study Guide to I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Geisler, Norman L.
Jimenez, Jason
Paperback
The Unoffendable Heart: Breaking Free from the Cycle of Offense to Live in Freedom, Love, and Forgiveness
Signorelli, Mike
Paperback
Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West
Ehrman, Bart D.
Hardcover
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You
Burke, John
Paperback
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
All-In-One Holy Bible with Apocrypha: 300 Books in Print Plus Audiobook, Videos, and Thousands of Digital Books
Publishing, Dunatos
Hardcover
Every Moment Holy: Death, Grief, and Hope: (Pocket Edition) (Over 100 Prayers and Illustrations for Finding Purpose & Hope During Seasons of Loss or S
McKelvey, Douglas Kaine
Hardcover
Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth
Hall, Mark David
Paperback
Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Lucado, Max
Paperback