Review of Primitive Mentality

Abstract

Reviews the book, Primitive Mentality by Lucien Levy-Bruhl (1923). This volume may be looked upon as an application of psychological principles to the study of ethnographic data. Professor Levy-Bruhl attempts an investigation of the character of the primitive mind as it is revealed and operates in the various activities of primitive peoples from practically all locations on earth. As a basis for his studies the author proceeds upon the excellent assumption that before studying the primitive mind it cannot be defined as a rudimentary form of our own; so that one may conclude at once that it is childish and almost pathological. Instead, he assumes that the primitive mind is normal under the conditions in which it is employed and further more that it is both complex and developed. The author concludes that there are decided differences of a fundamental sort between primitive and civilized mentality. Briefly, the primitive mind is essentially mystic and prelogical. However, to believe that primitive mentality is fundamentally different from our own is to overlook the myriads of instances of mystic and prelogical mental action performed by persons in all complex civilizations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)