In Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection, Kristeva develops the concept of the abject - that which incites disgust, which disturbs system and order, that which threatens the boundaries of the self.

To abject literally means to cast out, and that is what it is: the things or qualities we cast out of our midst - whether that means our selves or our society - but which constantly threaten to return. We recognize ourself in the abjected, and for that, we are disgusted by it. Or by ourselves.