Final answer:
The concept of animism was introduced by Sir Edward Burnett Tylor, not RR Marett. Tylor posited that animism, the belief in a spiritual essence in all things, was the earliest form of religion, shaping the development of more complex belief systems. Animistic elements persist in popular culture through concepts like mana in games and media.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of animism was not invented by RR Marett but rather by Sir Edward Burnett Tylor. Tylor, a British anthropologist, presented the first anthropological description of animism in his work Primitive Culture (1871). He suggested that animism was the earliest form of religious practice and that it represented an evolutionary beginning point for all religions. Tylor's theory indicates that belief systems began with the idea that not only humans but also plants, animals, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena hold a spiritual or supernatural element. Animism encompasses the belief that there is a spiritual essence in all parts of the natural world. This can be tied into modern understandings of spirituality and religion, reflecting on how ancient practices and beliefs may have influenced the development of more structured and complex religious systems. As societies grew and became more complex, so too did their religious beliefs. Popular culture has also incorporated elements of animistic beliefs. The concept of mana, an abstract supernatural power, has made its way into games like Magic: The Gathering and World of Warcraft. Animism, therefore, continues to have a profound influence across different cultures and mediums.