Super Short Summary

The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life by Émile Durkheim queries the origins of religion in human society by examining Aboriginal Australian religion. Durkheim explores how social forces in communal settings create a sense of transcendence that humans interpret religiously. He defines religion as a system classifying reality into sacred and profane spheres, emerging primarily from totemism. Note: Durkheim’s language and characterizations of Indigenous cultures can be Eurocentric and lack nuance by modern standards.