Purity And Danger by Mary Douglas
An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo
This seminal work in anthropology and sociology examines the concepts of cleanliness and pollution, and how different societies and cultures categorize and respond to what they consider pure or impure. The author argues that the ideas of purity and danger are not absolute but are constructed by social contexts, serving to uphold social structures and boundaries. Through a cross-cultural analysis, the book explores how rituals, taboos, and the notion of dirt are used to create order and meaning, revealing that what is deemed dirty or polluting often symbolizes disorder and challenges to the social system. The text is a thought-provoking exploration of the symbolic systems that humans create to maintain their cultural norms and social organization.
The 7723rd greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1966
- Nationality
- British
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 192
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(4.0)
- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 1 lists:
- The Hundred Most Influential Books Since The War (WW2) (Central and East European Publishing Project)