The idea of animism was developed by anthropologist Sir Edward Tylor

through his 1871 book Primitive Culture, in which he defined it as "the general doctrine of souls and other spiritual beings in general".

Where did animism come from?

The concept of animism first appeared explicitly in Victorian British anthropology in Primitive Culture (1871), by Sir Edward Burnett Tylor (later published as Religion in Primitive Culture, 1958). His writings are preceded historically by those of the Greek Lucretius (c.

What is animism in world history?

animism, belief in innumerable spiritual beings concerned with human affairs and capable of helping or harming human interests. Animistic beliefs were first competently surveyed by Sir Edward Burnett Tylor in his work Primitive Culture (1871), to which is owed the continued currency of the term.