The role of physical cleansing in washing away the taint of sin

摘要

In the 8 September issue of Science two management and behaviour experts,from Canada and the US,discussed the age-old custom of trying to wash away the taint of sin,of which we may become aware in looking back at some of our actions in real life.The recent emphasis on washing the hands carefully to avoid contamination in hospitals and other institutions has raised awareness of this particular aspect of living in a civilised society,but the problem has been with us for centuries and is not likely to go away in a hurry.