Thus for Frazer religion is a necessary stage in mental evolution, but one that is based on mistaken premisses it has now in turn been superseded by a world-view based on rationality: positive science. In Frazer's view that movement towards the light began in earliest times with the priest-king employing magic to compel the gods to do his bidding, followed by a religious stage in which humans admit their powerlessness and now beseech rather than command the gods.
"Frazer's true subject is nothing less than humanity's long upward struggle towards an understanding of itself and the world. Spines cocked, one short closed tear to head of each spine, extremities a touched bumped with some light wear, cloth occasionally rippled and discoloured, a little light foxing, else contents unmarked.įrazer's ground-breaking study First edition of Frazer's ground-breaking study of comparative religion. Original green cloth, spines lettered in gilt, mistletoe design blocked to front boards in gilt, dark green endpapers, edges uncut. Wells, as the most important exponent of secularism in the twentieth century" (ODNB).įrazer continually expanded and updated his text for future editions, until by 1936 the work reached thirteen volumes in size abridged editions went through many printings in the 20th century and continue to be published. In truth he was engaged all the while in a covert campaign against religion in general and Christianity in particular and may perhaps be seen, along with H.
First edition of Frazer's ground-breaking study of comparative religion.
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