ABSTRACT
An oft-held view of the technologically less developed societies holds them to be marked by faith rather than rationality, custom rather than behaviour, by culture rather than society. Scepticism is not found only in modern society, despite the general idea that non-Europeans, 'primitive cultures', 'exotic societies', call them by what periphrasis you wish, are marked by magic, superstition and the rigidity of belief. Were scepticism not common, the phenomena of conversion, apostasy, withdrawal and religious change, would not be as widespread as they are. Variety and innovation creep in and consequently the religions of these societies are often the most changing features of their culture, although, unlike technological changes, there may be few repercussions for the rest of social life. When sceptical thoughts are fixed in writing, they become a starting point for further speculation on the nature of the universe, the objects of good government, the validity of a particular cure.
