In other words: to the Animist it is morally imperative to treat all forms of life with respect. When we look at Animistic belief, we see that it treats all humans, animals and plants as being equal and interdependent of each other. However, it’s not necessarily intelligent to subscribe to Tylor’s opinion. Tylor believed that Animistic beliefs were characteristic of “primitive” and “childish” peoples, who typically possess “cognitive underdevelopment”, thus discrediting the whole Animistic world view in one fell swoop. 19th century anthropologist Sir Edward Tylor for instance, was not only one of the greatest skeptics of Animism, but was also responsible for forming the currently accepted definition of ‘Animism’. However, not everyone is convinced of the validity of Animism. Their totems are also thought to be a form of alter ego, or second self.Īnimism, on the other hand, is more in line with the world view held by many Buddhist, Shinto, Pagan and Neopagan groups of people, that all plants, animals and objects have spirits. The Kpelle people of Liberia for instance, possess animal, plant and natural phenomena (wind, rain etc.) totems that are thought to guide and protect their people. Totemism, a system of belief practised by the Native American Indian people, and the Australian Aboriginal people for example, incorporates the notion that each human being has a spiritual connection to another physical being (e.g. The concept of ‘Spirit Animals’ draws its origins from ancient Animistic and Totemistic beliefs about the world and our connection to it.
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