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What is the fundamental premise of J.G. Frazer's approach to myth?

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Final answer:

James Frazer's approach to myth includes the evolutionary interpretation that cultures develop spiritual beliefs progressing from magic, through religion, to science, as reflected in his comparative study of myths across various cultures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fundamental premise of Sir James George Frazer's approach to myth in the context of anthropology and religious studies lies in his comprehensive work, 'The Golden Bough.' Frazer attempted to explain the reasons cultures develop spiritual beliefs by interpreting religious mythology and rituals through a comparative study. He saw religion and its associated myths as evolving from magic, through religion, to science. This progression reflects an evolutionary approach where societies evolve from a reliance on magic to understand and control their world, to religion as a more structured form of explaining phenomena, and eventually to a scientific approach grounded in empirical evidence and logic. Frazer included myths from diverse cultures, including the death and resurrection events similar to those in Christianity, suggesting a commonality in human belief structures expressed through myth.

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