Frazerian Reflections: Wittgenstein on Beltane and Human Sacrifice

Abstract

Hitherto, we have been concerned largely with themes thrown up in the first set of Remarks on Frazer’s Golden Bough, questions to do with the principles of magic, with anthropological method, with expressive and intellectualist interpretations of religious rites, and so on. In those notes written in the early 1930s, Wittgenstein surveyed many aspects of The Golden Bough and was savagely critical of Frazer. When, however, we turn to the later notes, written around 1948, we find a very different picture. Here, Wittgenstein is discussing only one aspect of The Golden Bough — namely, Frazer’s characterization of the Beltane fire-festival — and, furthermore, no vicious attacks on Frazer are launched. Indeed, the argument of the later set of notes is in places not dissimilar to the oft-voiced comments made in The Golden Bough about religion’s roots in human nature. Although these remarks have a small scope, they are of great interest and significance. Accordingly, the entirety of this chapter will be given over to a examination of Wittgenstein’s thoughts on the fire-festivals of Europe. First, however, we should familiarize ourselves with the nature of the Beltane festival and with what Frazer has to say about it.