The Elementary Forms of Religious Life

In this title, Emile Durkheim set himself the task of discovering the enduring source of human social identity. He investigated what he considered to be the simplest form of documented religion - totemism among the Aborigines of Australia. Aboriginal religion was an avenue "to yield an understanding of the religious nature of man, by showing us an essential and permanent aspect of humanity". The need and capacity of men and women to relate socially lies at the heart of Durkheim's exploration, in which religion embodies the beliefs that shape our moral universe. This edition provides an introduction to Durkheim's ideas. This book is intended for students and teachers of religious studies, sociology of religion, sociology, anthropology; general readers of philosophy and religion.