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I've heard of taboos forbidding discussion in religious contexts, for religious (superstitious) reasons, but what definition of taboo are you using that it does
by rendaw 7mo ago
I've heard of taboos forbidding discussion in religious contexts, for religious (superstitious) reasons, but what definition of taboo are you using that it doesn't just mean "forbidden"?
There's a taboo to marrying your blood sibling, but discussing such marriages is fine. If a culture generally allowed marrying such a sibling I think it'd be past its peak, maybe. But I don't see how discussing it would contribute to that.
- mikkupikku 7mo agoTry to start up a conversation about the relative merits of marrying your siblings and I bet everybody else in the room will suddenly get very uncomfortable. They'll be thinking "Of all possible things we could talk about, why this??" You're right that taboos also concern actions, not just discussion, but in this case it's probably both.
- naasking 7mo ago> They'll be thinking "Of all possible things we could talk about, why this??" Sure, but the point is that they should just say that, and the person who raised the issue must then explain why it's worth their time. Maybe there's an important point they're trying to make, maybe not.
- LorenPechtel 7mo agoI see a problem here with your example: "everyone else". If you're going to have a sensitive discussion it should involve the minimum number of people.
- mikkupikku 7mo agoThat it's a sensitive topic is the point, no?