Animism
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article defines animism as the primitive worldview of personifying and spiritualizing nature. According to the theory of E. B. Tylor, it represents a developmental stage through which all civilized humanity has passed.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
ANIMISM (from the Latin anima—soul), the personification and spiritualization of nature; according to E. Tylor, it is a primitive worldview representing a stage through which, apparently, all of civilized humanity has passed: nature appears to primitive man as consisting of beings similar to himself, often hidden behind things and even within man himself.
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“Animism.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/animism/