Natural Symbol

"Natural Symbols:
" Exploration in Cosmology"

        Andrea H. Harris
        November 26, 2005
        Term Paper

Mary Douglas, "Natural Symbols: Exploration in Cosmology", was first published in 1970 and because of its academic value and well-researched contents, it was republishes again in 1973 and since there has been regularly updated.   The book may confuse those who are not interested in anthropological explanation for social, religious and cultural norms but it certainly contains a wealth of information on the connection between physical body and its role in the larger social body that surrounds us.   The core thesis of the book revolves around the idea that rules of the physical body turn into natural symbols for decoding the norms of the society.   In other words, a parallel had been drawn between simple bodily actions and larger societal riles. 
Douglas believes natural symbols play an important role in determining the nature of various social and religious rituals and practices.   How we perceive a norm is connected with how we view bodily functions and vice versa. In the book, Douglas gives an explanation of how our perception of human bodily functions is an extension of different social experiences. 
Douglass starts off her literary piece by discussing how our society has begun to shy away from rituals. As the first chapter is titled," Away from rituals", she points out that there is a lack of commitment to common symbols and that there is a rejection of rituals , formalism and even form. She defines rituals as a reutilized act diverted from its normal function; however is a despised form of communication.   Symbolic acts convey information however rituals do not. The one performing the ritual, a ritualist performs gestures externally which imply values, but the ritualist is withdrawn and none committed.
Rituals are used for various reasons. Douglas states that there is a need for continuous communication, such as...