Review of Primitive Religion

Abstract

Reviews the book, Primitive Religion by Robert H. Lowie (see record 1925-10388-000 ). Primitive Religion is a comparative study of primitive religion, psychological in point of view, and undertaken for the purpose of finding the "least common denominator in all religious phenomena." One is favorably impressed, however, with the author's scholarly treatment of the religions selected. This is his real contribution to comparative religion. Extremely pertinent is Professor Lowie's last word which is an emphatic caution (1) to those who would devise their definition of religion by a priori methods without factual data gained through painstaking observation and research, (2) to those who in their zeal for simplification of the diverse religious phenomena tend to overlook or ignore important individual differences, and (3) to those who criticize any definition of religion before inquiring into the point of view or purpose which has served as an organizing principle. Perhaps there is no single adequate definition of religion. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)