 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
One of the chief sources of primitive morality is tabu. Certain objects, especially those belonging to the chief, are imbued with "mana" and if you touch them you will die. Certain things are dedicated to a Spirit, and must only be used by the medicine man. Some foods are lawful, others unlawful. Some individuals, until purified, are unclean; this applies especially to such as have some taint of blood, not only those who have committed homicide, but also women in childbirth and during menstruation (see Leviticus xv, 19-29).
Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, (1954), chapter 1
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