The Elementary Forms of Religious Life

Emile Durkheim, Mark S. (Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Religion, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Religion, Vassar College) Cladis, Carol Cosman

From Shelf: 13 books on belonging, selected by RED Associates

In The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, Durkheim investigated the enduring source of human social identity and fellowship by studying the simplest form of documented religion, totemism among the Aborigines of Australia. His book about the origin and nature of religion and society continues to enthrall sociologists, anthropologists, ethnographers, philosophers, and theologians.