# Totem and Taboo

> book by Sigmund Freud

**Wikidata**: [Q910769](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q910769)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem_and_Taboo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/totem-and-taboo

## Summary
*Totem and Taboo* is a 1913 book by Sigmund Freud, the Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, that explores the psychological significance of totems and taboos in human societies. The work examines how these cultural symbols shape individual and collective behavior, offering insights into the unconscious mind and societal structures.

## Key Facts
- **Literary work**: A written work read for enjoyment or edification.
- **Author**: Sigmund Freud (1856–1939), Austrian neurologist and psychoanalyst.
- **Publication date**: 1913 (originally published in 1910).
- **Publisher**: Beacon Press, an American non-profit book publisher founded in 1854.
- **Related fields**: Psychoanalysis, cultural studies, and religious studies.
- **Wikidata description**: Book by Sigmund Freud.
- **Sitelink count**: 33 (indicating its presence in 33 different online references).

## FAQs
**What is the central theme of *Totem and Taboo*?**
The book examines the psychological and cultural roles of totems and taboos, arguing that these symbols reflect unconscious desires and societal structures.

**Who is the author of *Totem and Taboo*?**
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, wrote the book.

**When was *Totem and Taboo* published?**
It was first published in 1910 and later released in 1913.

**What academic fields does *Totem and Taboo* relate to?**
The work is connected to psychoanalysis, cultural studies, and religious studies.

**Where was *Totem and Taboo* published?**
Beacon Press, an American non-profit publisher, released the book.

## Why It Matters
*Totem and Taboo* is significant as Freud’s first major work on cultural psychology, bridging the gap between his clinical practice and broader societal analysis. It introduced the concept of the unconscious mind influencing cultural practices, influencing later anthropological and psychological theories. The book remains a foundational text in psychoanalysis and cultural studies, providing a framework for understanding symbolic systems in human societies.

## Notable For
- **Foundational text**: One of Freud’s earliest works on cultural psychology.
- **Interdisciplinary influence**: Connects psychoanalysis, anthropology, and religious studies.
- **Cultural analysis**: Examines totems and taboos as reflections of unconscious desires.
- **Publisher history**: Published by Beacon Press, a long-standing American book publisher.

## Body
### Overview
*Totem and Taboo* is a seminal work by Sigmund Freud, published in 1913, that explores the psychological and cultural significance of totems and taboos. Freud, a pioneer of psychoanalysis, examines how these symbolic elements shape individual and collective behavior, offering insights into the unconscious mind and societal structures.

### Author and Context
Sigmund Freud, born in 1856 and active until his death in 1939, was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis. His work in *Totem and Taboo* builds on his earlier clinical observations, extending them to cultural and anthropological analysis. The book was published by Beacon Press, an American non-profit publisher established in 1854, which has a history of supporting scholarly and literary works.

### Academic Connections
*Totem and Taboo* is closely related to psychoanalysis, an academic field founded by Freud in 1890. It also intersects with cultural studies, an interdisciplinary field of critical theory and literary criticism, and religious studies, which examines religion from an objective perspective. These connections highlight the book’s role in bridging clinical psychology and broader cultural analysis.

### Publication Details
The book was first published in 1910 and later released in 1913, reflecting its evolution as Freud refined his theories. Beacon Press, headquartered in the United States, played a role in its dissemination, contributing to its accessibility in academic and literary circles.

### Influence and Legacy
*Totem and Taboo* remains a notable work in psychoanalysis and cultural studies, influencing later theories on symbolic systems and unconscious motivations. Its exploration of totems and taboos as psychological phenomena has been cited in anthropological and psychological research, solidifying its place in academic discourse. The book’s interdisciplinary approach continues to inform contemporary discussions on cultural psychology and societal structures.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013