ABSTRACT

The primitive mind does not differentiate the supernatural from reality, but rather uses "mystical participation" to manipulate the world. According to Bruhl, moreover, the primitive mind doesn't address contradictions. The modern mind, by contrast, uses reflection and logic. Bruhl believed in a historical and evolutionary teleology leading from the primitive mind to the modern mind.

chapter |13 pages

Introduction

chapter II|38 pages

Mystic and Invisible Forces

chapter III|25 pages

Dreams

chapter IV|19 pages

Omens

chapter V|18 pages

Omens—(continued)

chapter VI|35 pages

The Practices of Divination

chapter VII|34 pages

The Practices of Divination (continued)

chapter VIII|42 pages

Ordeals

chapter XII|26 pages

The Primitive’s Dislike of the Unknown

chapter XIII|21 pages

The Primitive’s Attitude to European Remedies

chapter XIV|17 pages

Conclusion