"Purity and Danger"

"Purity and Danger" is a concept from anthropologist Mary Douglas that explores how societies define and regulate what is considered pure or polluted. It suggests that ideas of cleanliness, impurity, and taboo are culturally constructed, shaping social boundaries and moral order. Certain objects, behaviors, or people may be labeled as "dangerous" or "dirty," reinforcing social cohesion or hierarchies. Ultimately, the concept reveals how cultural beliefs about purity influence social norms, identity, and the way communities distinguish what is acceptable from what is taboo.