Animism Or Thought Currents of Primitive Peoples

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Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Animism Or Thought Currents of Primitive Peoples

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

George William Gilmore offers a compelling analytical study of animism, the primitive belief that all elements of the universe possess souls. This work explores how this foundational concept shaped human religion and the understanding of the afterlife, revealing a worldview where every act carries religious significance and death is often attributed to spiritual agency rather than natural law.

Summary up to 500 words

In "Animism Or Thought Currents of Primitive Peoples," George William Gilmore explores animism not merely as a primitive relic but as a persistent "taproot" of human experience that continues to shape modern thought. Gilmore argues that early cultures did not view death as an inevitable natural process but rather as the result of external spiritual forces, such as sorcery or the actions of hostile spirits. Drawing on extensive ethnographic evidence from diverse regions including Australia, Africa, the Pacific, and ancient Egypt, he illustrates that natural deaths were frequently interpreted as murders by enemies or the work of witches. For instance, among Australian tribes, a death was often attributed to a hostile member stealing hair or burning it with magic, while in New Guinea, the spirits of the dead were questioned upon arrival to determine if a sorcerer had sent them. Gilmore traces the development of the soul concept, noting that dreams provided primary evidence for the continued existence of the dead, as the deceased appeared in dreams not as phantasies but as realities. He discusses the "parity of being," where humans and animals were seen as essentially the same, a belief system that underpinned early religious practices, totemism, and social structures. The text highlights that even in advanced civilizations, the belief in the immanence of the divine and the interconnectedness of all life persists. Gilmore suggests that modern civilization has not entirely abandoned these roots, as advanced thought increasingly returns to animistic conceptions. The work serves as a historical bridge, demonstrating how ancient beliefs about spirits, souls, and the afterlife form the substratum of all subsequent civilizations and religions, proving that no stage of culture has been able to disown the commonest heirlooms left by primitive modes of thinking.

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4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Spirituality
• Anthropology