TO FRAZER WHAT BELONGS TO FRAZER - A REIN TERPRETATION OF THE INTELLECTUALISM OF GOLDEN BOUGH

Current interpretations of James Frazer's work overestimate the import ance of the three stages theory (Magic-Religion-Science) and of indivi dual reflection in the philosophes sauvages. The Golden Bough is more about the idea of a universal and spontaneous psychological atmosphere , beyond the distinction between Religion and Magic. Frazer prefers to characterise this atmosphere through the explicit content of rites an d beliefs, often neglected by twentieth century religious anthropology .