Essentialism is a cognitive process which means a spontaneous, unconscious and intuitive mannet to represent things or persons and to consider that their own characteristics are caused by an "essence" of their own category. This substance is clearly fictional and its associated characteristics may be observable realities or, in turn, pure fiction. (modular theory of brain from psychology development and cognitive anthropology).
Cognitive Essentialism lies manifestly in the concept of "soul", that immaterial essence that animate human beings, or all beings in general, regarding the considered religious faith.
Totemism is a form of religious Essentialism.In ancient tribal societies,to each individual was assigned a totem, that was a symbol that results from what clan the individual belongs. This put the individual in relation to ancestors and supernatural forces. This is one of the most rudimentary forms of religious life.
Religion becomes the expression of a cognitive process of categorization, an Essentialism, which is more effective than a simple ranking method based on similarities. It allows us to establish fast connections such as cause and effect when we have no idea about the real causes of the phenomenon we observe.
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