The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life

In this 1912 classic, a founder of modern sociology examines animism, naturism, totemism, myth, and ritual. Durkheim maintains that the source of religion and morality lies in collective consciousness, rather than in individual minds. His intriguing views are still a topic of debate among sociologists, anthropologists, ethnographers, philosophers, and theologians.

Religious Sociology and the Theory of KnowledgeBook I: Preliminary QuestionsDefinition of Religious Phenomena and of ReligionLeading Conceptions ofo the Elementary ReligionTotemism as an Elementary ReligionBook II: The Elementary BeliefsTotemic BeliefsOrigins of these BeliefsThe Idea of the SoulThe Idea of Spirits and GodsBook III: The Principal Ritual AttitudesThe Negative Cult and its FunctionsThe Positive CultPiacular Rites and the Ambiguity of the Notion of SacrednessConclusion