The Origin of Magic and Religion

The Origin of Magic and Religion is a book written by W. J. Perry that explores the origins of magic and religion in human history. The author delves into the evolution of human consciousness and how it led to the emergence of magical and religious beliefs. Perry argues that magic and religion are not separate entities but rather interconnected and that they both emerged from the same source.The book covers various topics such as the role of shamanism in the development of magic and religion, the impact of agriculture and civilization on religious beliefs, and the emergence of monotheistic religions. Perry also discusses the role of myth and symbolism in shaping religious beliefs and practices.The author draws on a wide range of sources, including anthropology, psychology, and history, to provide a comprehensive account of the origins of magic and religion. The book is written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for both scholars and general readers interested in the history of human beliefs.Overall, The Origin of Magic and Religion is a thought-provoking and insightful book that sheds light on the origins of two of the most enduring aspects of human culture.1923. In this little book, the author attempts to tell as clearly as possible the story of the development of magical and religious thought and practice. As the result of work on the historical aspect of the growth of civilization, the general principles of development of various forms of human culture have become clear and the author believed it was time to give the general reader some account of the progress made up to the present.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.