A social anthropologist and classic scholar from Scotland, Sir James George Frazer is known to be one of the influential fathers of contemporary anthropology. He is well-known for his works on comparative religion and selected works such as The Golden Bough, Greek traveller Pausanias' description, and Totemism and Exogamy. Along with many volumes of speculations on history of religion, Frazer did more first-rank classical work than any other classical scholars can accomplish in a life time . He was a person who stressed orientation into his work, and his work is considered as scattered element of theory and much information. A generalized information that can be gathered from his theory of religion is that magic has given rise to religion which in turn has given rise to science, in revolutionary phases.
According to , Frazer believed that religion is a propitiation or conciliation of powers superior to a man that is believed to be direct and controls the course of nature and human life. Religion consists of two elements; theoretical that explains belief in powers higher than man, and practical, which is an attempt to please the beliefs. Frazer strongly considers that belief and practice, or faith and work are likewise necessary to religion, and religion cannot be existent without both of them. Religion, as a resolution of the phenomenal power, accepts the conscious and personal forces.
Being a classic scholar, Frazer also made lot of contributions in the field of primitive religions and customs, by exploring the differences in Magic and Religion is various regions and countries which is appreciated. Frazer mentions that small minds do not grasp great ideas as the sense of religion affects only those with higher intelligence who have vastness to understand the universe and the littleness of the man. However, I believe that religion is a mix of cultural systems, and the methods in which world is perceived, which impacts the people with small minds as well as intellectual people.
Works Cited
Ackerman, Robert. J.G. Frazer: His Life and Work. illustrated, reprint. Worcester: Cambridge University Press Archive, 1987. Print.
Frazer, Sir James George and Robert Fraser. The Golden Bough. Brain Food, 2014. Print.
