Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo (Routledge Classics)

"In Purity and Danger, Mary Douglas identifies the concern for purity as a key theme at the heart of every society. In lively and lucid prose she explains its relevance for every reader by revealing its wide-ranging impact on our attitudes to society, values, cosmology and knowledge. This book has been hugely influential in many areas of debate - from religion to social theory. But perhaps its most important role is to offer each reader a new explanation of why people behave in the way they do. With a specially commissioned preface by the author which assesses the continuing significance of the work thirty-five years on, this Routledge Classics edition will ensure that Purity and Danger continues to challenge and question well into the new millenium."--Résumé de l'éditeur. Purity and Danger is acknowledged as a modern masterpiece of anthropology. It is widely cited in non-anthropological works and gave rise to a body of application, rebuttal and development within anthropology. Purity and Danger is acknowledged as a modern masterpiece of anthropology. It is widely cited in non-anthropological works and gave rise to a body of application, rebuttal and development within anthropology. In 1995 the book was included among the Times Literary Supplement's hundred most influential non-fiction works since WWII. Incorporating the philosophy of religion and science and a generally holistic approach to classification, Douglas demonstrates the relevance of anthropological enquiries to an audience outside her immediate academic circle. She offers an approach to understanding rules of purity by examining what is considered unclean in various cultures. She sheds light on the symbolism of what is considered clean and dirty in relation to order in secular and religious, modern and primitive life. Purity and Danger is acknowledged as a modern masterpiece of anthropology. It is widely cited in non-anthropological works and gave rise to a body of application, rebuttal and development within anthropology. In 1995 the book was included among the Times Literary Supplement's hundred most influential non-fiction works since WWII. Incorporating the philosophy of religion and science and a generally holistic approach to classification, Douglas demonstrates the relevance of anthropological enquiries to an audience outside her immediate academic circle. She offers an approach to understanding rules of purity by examining what is considered unclean in various cultures. She sheds light on the symbolism of what is considered clean and dirty in relation to order in secular and religious, modern and primitive life Is cleanliness next to godliness? What does such a concept really mean? Why does it recur as a universal theme across all societies? And what are the implications for the unclean? In Purity and Danger, Mary Douglas identifies the concern for purity as a key theme at the heart of every society. In lively and lucid prose she explains its relevance for every reader by revealing its wide-ranging impact on our attitudes to society, values, cosmology and knowledge. This book has been hugely influential in many areas of debate - from religion to social theory. But perhaps its most important role is to offer each reader a new explanation of why people behave in the way they do. With a specially commissioned preface by the author which assesses the continuing significance of the work thirty-five years on, this Routledge Classics edition will ensure that Purity and Danger continues to challenge and question well into the new millennium. Is cleanliness next to godliness? What does such a concept really mean? Why does it recur as a universal theme across all societies? And what are the implications for the unclean? In Purity and Danger Mary Douglas identifies the concern for purity as a key theme at the heart of every society. In lively and lucid prose she explains its relevance for every reader by revealing its wide-ranging impact on our attitudes to society, values, cosmology and knowledge. This book has been hugely influential in many areas of debate – from religion to social theory. With a specially commissioned preface by the author which assesses the continuing significance of the work, this Routledge Classics edition will ensure that Purity and Danger continues to challenge, question and inspire for many years to come. "In Purity and Danger, Mary Douglas identifies the concern for purity as a key theme at the heart of every society. In lively and lucid prose she explains its relevance for every reader by revealing its wide-ranging impact on our attitudes to society, values, cosmology and knowledge. This book has been hugely influential in many areas of debate - from religion to social theory. But perhaps its most important role is to offer each reader a new explanation of why people behave in the way they do. With a specially commissioned preface by the author which assesses the continuing significance of the work thirty-five years on, this Routledge Classics edition will ensure that Purity and Danger continues to challenge and question well into the new millenium."--Jacket In Purity And Danger Mary Douglas Identifies The Concern For Purity As A Key Theme At The Heart Of Every Society. In Lively And Lucid Prose She Explains Its Relevance For Every Reader By Revealing Its Wide-ranging Impact On Our Attitudes To Society, Values, Cosmology And Knowledge. The Book Has Been Hugely Influential In Many Areas Of Debate - From Religion To Social Theory. But Perhaps Its Most Important Role Is To Offer Each Reader A New Explanation Of Why People Behave In The Way They Do. With A Specially Commissioned Introduction By The Author Which Assesses The Continuing Significance Of The Work Thirty-five Years On, This Routledge Classics Edition Will Ensure That Purity And Danger Continues To Challenge And Question Well Into The New Millennium. In This Classic Work Mary Douglas Identifies The Concern For Pirity As A Key Theme At The Heart Of Every Society. She Reveals Its Wide-ranging Impact On Our Attitudes Tp Society, Values, Cosmology And Knowledge. Ritual Uncleanness -- Secular Defilement -- The Abominations Of Leviticus -- Magic And Miracle -- Primitive Worlds -- Powers And Dangers -- External Boundaries -- Internal Lines -- The System At War With Itself -- The System Shattered And Renewed. Mary Douglas ; With A New Preface By The Author. Originally Published: London : Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1966. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [221]-226) And Index. Various points are raised in this book which illuminate matters in the philosophy of religion and science, showing us why and how anthropology has become such an intellectual disapline. This is both gracefully and comprehensively written. Professor Douglas makes points which illuminate matters in the philosophy of religion and the philosophy of science and help to show the rest of us just why and how anthropology has become a fundamentally intellectual discipline.