Edward Tylor

Edward Tylor was a 19th-century anthropologist who believed that human religions and cultures develop gradually over time. He proposed that early humans initially believed in spirits and supernatural forces, then evolved into more complex religious systems. Tylor introduced the idea that religion starts with animism—believing in spirits within objects—and progresses toward organized religions. His work helped lay the foundation for anthropology as the study of human cultures, emphasizing that societies evolve through stages from simple to complex. Overall, he viewed cultural development as a natural, progressive process reflecting humanity’s increasing understanding of the world.