The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion

by James George Frazer

Overview

James George Frazer attempted to define the shared elements of religious belief and scientific thought, discussing fertility rites, human sacrifice, the dying god, the scapegoat, and many other symbols and practices whose influences had extended into 20th-century culture. His thesis is that old religions were fertility cults that revolved around the worship and periodic sacrifice of a sacred king. Frazer proposed that mankind progresses from magic through religious belief to scientific thought. (Excerpt from Wikipedia)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783962725440
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	10/17/2018
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	957
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

James George Frazer (1854-1941) was a pioneering Scottish social anthropologist whose work profoundly influenced the study of mythology, religion, and anthropology. Born in Glasgow, Frazer's academic journey began at the University of Glasgow and continued at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he would later become a fellow.Frazer's revolutionary ideas centered on the comparative study of human belief systems, particularly the transitions from magic to religion and then to science. His meticulous research and comparative approach laid the groundwork for modern anthropology and the study of cultural evolution. Frazer's theories suggested that human societies progress through similar stages of development, a concept that was both groundbreaking and controversial.His influence extended beyond academia, inspiring a generation of writers, including T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and D.H. Lawrence, who found in Frazer's work a rich source of mythological and cultural references. Frazer's ability to weave together diverse cultural practices into a coherent narrative captivated both scholars and the general public.Despite his acclaim, Frazer's work was not without controversy. Critics argued that his theories were overly simplistic and ethnocentric, reflecting the biases of his time. Nonetheless, his contributions to the understanding of myth and ritual remain foundational.Frazer's legacy is a testament to his intellectual curiosity and his ability to see the interconnectedness of human cultures. His work continues to be a touchstone for those exploring the complexities of human belief and the evolution of societal norms.
Sir James George Frazer; (1 January 1854 – 7 May 1941) was a Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist[3] influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion.[4] He is often considered one of the founding fathers of modern anthropology. His most famous work, The Golden Bough (1890), documents and details the similarities among magical and religious beliefs around the globe. Frazer posited that human belief progressed through three stages: primitive magic, replaced by religion, in turn replaced by science. (Wikipedia)