Tylor's Theory on Primitive Dualism

Anthropologist E. B. Tylor proposed that early ('primitive') peoples developed the concept of a 'double' entity, separating the physical body from an immaterial soul or spirit.

According to Tylor, this fundamental idea was primarily borrowed from observations and experiences related to Dreams.

Explanation of Dream Influence

• Primitive individuals often experienced vivid dreams where they saw themselves or others, sometimes appearing deceased or in distant places.
• They also recalled interactions with departed individuals in their dreams.
• Lacking modern scientific explanations, they inferred that these dream experiences were proof of a separable spiritual essence – the soul – distinct from the physical body.
• This led to the belief that the soul could exist independently, both during sleep (dreams) and after death.

Therefore, Tylor concluded that the dualistic concept of body and soul originated from the interpretation of phenomena like Dreams.