The Evolution of the Idea of God: An Inquiry Into the Origins of Religions (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Victorian Study of Animism, Ancestor Worship, and the Origins of BeliefBy Grant Allen
Length17h 44m
About this audiobook
The Evolution of the Idea of God is a sweeping late-Victorian inquiry into the origins and development of religious belief, tracing divinity from primitive animism, ancestor-worship, and fetishism toward increasingly abstract conceptions of deity. Written in the comparative, evolutionary idiom of nineteenth-century anthropology, the book combines ethnographic speculation, historical synthesis, and lucid argumentative prose. Allen situates religion within social development rather than revelation, making the work a significant document in the intellectual context shaped by Darwin, Spencer, Tylor, and Frazer. Grant Allen, Canadian-born and British-based, was a prolific novelist, essayist, and popularizer of science, deeply influenced by evolutionary theory and the secular currents of his age. Trained in classics and science, he brought to religious history the habits of a naturalist: classification, genealogy, and an interest in adaptation. His broader career, marked by radical views on society, morality, and belief, helps explain the book's ambition to interpret God as a human idea shaped by fear, memory, ritual, and communal need. This volume is recommended to readers interested in the history of religion, Victorian intellectual culture, and the genealogy of secular thought. Though some assumptions reflect its period, its bold synthesis remains invaluable for understanding how modern comparative religion emerged.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.9 (248)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing
GenreSpirituality and Religion
Length17 hrs 44 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 26, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The Evolution of the Idea of God: An Inquiry Into the Origins of Religions (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
51897
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6CHAPTER II.—RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY.
7CHAPTER IV.—THE ORIGIN OF GODS.
8CHAPTER V.—SACRED STONES.
9CHAPTER VI.—SACRED STAKES.
10CHAPTER VIL—SACRED TREES.
11CHAPTER IX.—THE GODS OF ISRAEL.
12CHAPTER X.—THE RISE OF MONOTHEISM.
13CHAPTER XI.—HUMAN GODS.
14CHAPTER XIII.—GODS OF CULTIVATION.
15CHAPTER XIV.—CORN- AND WINE-GODS.
16CHAPTER XVI.—THE DOCTRINE OF THE ATONEMENT.
17CHAPTER XVII.—THE WORLD BEFORE CHRIST.
18CHAPTER XIX.—SURVIVALS IN CHRISTENDOM.
19CHAPTER XX.—CONCLUSION.
20Analysis
21Reflection
22Memorable Quotes
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