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"For I believe that ideas about separating, purifying, demarcating and punishing transgressions have as their main function to impose system on an inherently untidy experience. It is only by exaggerating the difference between within and without, above and below, male and female, with and against, that a semblance of order is created." (emphasis mine) (p 4 of the Routledge, Kegan and Paul 1966 edition)
On the greater significance of pollution for "primitive" cultures (by which she includes the West before Copernicus): "With us pollution is a matter of aesthetics, hygiene or etiquette, which only becomes grave in so far as it may cause social embarrassment. The sanctions are social sanctions, contempt, ostracism, gossip, perhaps even police action." (p 73) But for many societies, "A grave pollution is a religious offence". (Douglas devotes a fascinating and convincing chapter to the logic behind the dietary laws of the Hebrew Bible.)
(There is an awful lot to challenge militant atheists' assumptions about religion in this book, but as it's due back tomorrow, I'll save some of that for another time. :) Note to self: for example, p 23, 58, 66, 89, 91, 92.)
On the greater significance of pollution for "primitive" cultures (by which she includes the West before Copernicus): "With us pollution is a matter of aesthetics, hygiene or etiquette, which only becomes grave in so far as it may cause social embarrassment. The sanctions are social sanctions, contempt, ostracism, gossip, perhaps even police action." (p 73) But for many societies, "A grave pollution is a religious offence". (Douglas devotes a fascinating and convincing chapter to the logic behind the dietary laws of the Hebrew Bible.)
(There is an awful lot to challenge militant atheists' assumptions about religion in this book, but as it's due back tomorrow, I'll save some of that for another time. :) Note to self: for example, p 23, 58, 66, 89, 91, 92.)