What are the stages of religion according to E.B. Taylor?

E.B. Tylor proposed a model of religious development that outlines a progression through various stages, reflecting the evolution of human thought regarding the divine and the supernatural. The correct sequence begins with animism, a belief system wherein natural objects and phenomena are believed to possess spiritual essence. This stage represents humanity's earliest forms of religiosity, where spirits are attached to animals, plants, and inanimate objects.

The next stage is polytheism, which evolves as cultures recognize multiple gods, each with specific roles and attributes. Polytheistic beliefs often emerge from the need to explain various aspects of life and nature, leading to a pantheon of gods representing different elements of existence.

Following polytheism is monotheism, characterized by the belief in a singular, all-powerful deity. This stage reflects a more abstract conception of divinity compared to earlier forms, where the complexity of multiple gods begins to consolidate into one overarching spiritual entity.

Finally, the stage of science represents a shift towards reason and empirical inquiry as methods for understanding the world, where supernatural explanations give way to scientific reasoning and evidence.

This sequence illustrates Tylor's perspective on how religious thought progresses toward more complex and abstract understandings of spirituality and the universe. The inclusion of science as