The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (Paperback, abridged edition)

'If religion generated everything that is essential in society, this is because the idea of society is the soul of religion.' In The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912), 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. The Elementary Forms has been applauded and debated by sociologists, anthropologists, ethnographers, philosophers, and theologians, and continues to speak to new generations about the origin and nature of religion and society. This new, lightly abridged edition provides an excellent introduction to Durkheim's ideas. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

General

Imprint:	Oxford UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Oxford World's Classics
Release date:	April 2008
First published:	June 2008
Authors:	Emile Durkheim
Translators:	Carol Cosman
Editors:	Mark S. Cladis (Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Religion)
Dimensions:	196 x 129 x 20mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	358
Edition:	abridged edition
ISBN-13:	978-0-19-954012-9
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > General
LSN:	0-19-954012-8
Barcode:	9780199540129

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