Totem and Taboo

Freud explores the connections between psychoanalysis and early human culture, focusing on the incest taboo and its impact on societal norms. He draws parallels between the behaviors of neurotics and the cultural practices of aboriginal peoples, suggesting that rituals arise as responses to repressed desires. Freud outlines three stages of cultural evolution—animistic, religious, and scientific—linked to individual psychological development. He posits that the Oedipus complex underlies cultural symbols and religious practices, highlighting his enduring influence on anthropology and psychology.