The Malignant Cleanliness - Polluting to Appropriate - Michel Serres

The Malignant Cleanliness: Polluting to Appropriate

In his book "The Malignant Cleanliness: Polluting to Appropriate," Michel Serres argues that the modern obsession with cleanliness is a form of pollution that is destroying the environment and our health. He traces the history of cleanliness from the ancient Greeks and Romans to the present day, showing how it has become increasingly associated with wealth, status, and power.

Serres argues that the cult of cleanliness is based on a false dichotomy between the pure and the impure. This dichotomy has led to the development of a wide range of cleaning products and practices that are harmful to the environment and our health. For example, the use of pesticides and herbicides to kill pests and weeds has led to the contamination of soil and water, and the use of antibiotics to fight disease has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Serres also argues that the cult of cleanliness is a form of social control. By associating cleanliness with wealth and status, the powerful have been able to use it to justify their domination over the poor and marginalized. For example, in the United States, the wealthy have historically lived in clean, well-maintained neighborhoods, while the poor have been forced to live in dirty, polluted areas.

Serres concludes by calling for a new ethic of cleanliness that is based on respect for the environment and our health. He argues that we need to move away from the cult of cleanliness and adopt a more sustainable approach to living.

Key Themes

• The cult of cleanliness is a form of pollution that is destroying the environment and our health.
• The dichotomy between the pure and the impure is a false dichotomy that has led to the development of harmful cleaning products and practices.
• The cult of cleanliness is a form of social control that has been used to justify the domination of the poor and marginalized.
• We need to move away from the cult of cleanliness and adopt a more sustainable approach to living.

Why You Should Read This Book

"The Malignant Cleanliness" is a powerful and provocative book that challenges our assumptions about cleanliness. Serres argues that the cult of cleanliness is a form of pollution that is destroying the environment and our health. He also argues that it is a form of social control that has been used to justify the domination of the poor and marginalized.

This book is essential reading for anyone who is interested in the environment, public health, or social justice. It is a wake-up call that challenges us to rethink our assumptions about cleanliness and to adopt a more sustainable approach to living.

About the Author

Michel Serres is a French philosopher, historian, and sociologist. He is the author of over 50 books, including "The Parasite," "Hermes: Literature, Science, Philosophy," and "The Five Senses." Serres is a member of the Académie française and the Collège de France.