Mimetic Theory & Scapegoats: A Basic Guide

Summary

This video explores the concept of mimetic desire, where our choices are influenced by others' desires, leading to mimetic rivalry and competition. The solution? The scapegoat, an innocent victim blamed for societal issues, restoring peace once 'erased'. The script uses a relatable example of sunglasses to illustrate this process, prompting viewers to reflect on their desires, societal foundations, and the role of scapegoats in resolving conflicts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mimetic desire is a concept introduced by René Girard, suggesting that our desires are often influenced by what others want.
• 👥 This desire to imitate others can lead to mimetic rivalry, where increased competition arises from individuals desiring the same things.
• 🍔 Choices, such as eating a hamburger over a less popular food, can be attributed to mimetic desire influenced by societal preferences.
• 🤔 Mimetic rivalry can escalate to violence, posing a challenge to societal and cultural development.
• 🐐 The scapegoat mechanism is presented as a societal solution to resolve conflicts arising from mimetic rivalry.
• 🔍 A scapegoat is an innocent party that is blamed for societal issues, and by being targeted, peace is supposedly restored.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The script uses a relatable example of sunglasses to illustrate how mimetic desire and scapegoating can play out in everyday life.
• 👫 The example involves a situation where a friend is blamed (scapegoated) for an individual's misfortune of missing out on desired sunglasses.
• 🔄 The process of scapegoating involves recognition of desire, competition, resentment, blaming, and the restoration of perceived peace.
• 🤝 Understanding mimetic rivalry and scapegoating encourages reflection on our motivations, societal foundations, and the identification of societal scapegoats.

Q & A

What is the concept of mimetic desire?

Mimetic desire is the idea that our wants and actions are influenced by what others want or do, leading us to imitate the desires and behaviors of those around us.

How does mimetic desire lead to mimetic rivalry?

Mimetic rivalry arises when people imitate each other, becoming more alike and thus competing for the same desires, which can escalate into rivalry and potentially violence.

What is the role of the scapegoat in resolving mimetic rivalry?

The scapegoat serves as an innocent victim that takes the blame for society's problems, allowing for the restoration of peace once it is identified and 'erased'.

Why is it important to understand mimetic desire and scapegoating?

Understanding these concepts helps us reflect on our motivations, the foundations of our society, and the dynamics of blame and peace within it.

Can you provide an example of mimetic desire from the script?

An example from the script is liking a post on Facebook because most of your friends have liked it, which is a desire influenced by social imitation.

How does the script illustrate the concept of mimetic rivalry?

The script uses the example of choosing to eat a hamburger over a deep-fried locust due to societal preferences, which can lead to competition and rivalry over shared desires.

What is the five-step process described in the script to show how mimetic rivalry and scapegoating work?

The steps are: 1) seeing someone with a desirable item, 2) wanting the item, 3) feeling resentment when you can't have it, 4) blaming a friend for the situation, and 5) restoring peace by identifying the friend as the scapegoat.

Why does the script suggest that society and culture cannot develop with ongoing mimetic rivalry, competition, and violence?

The script implies that these factors create instability and conflict, preventing the progress and harmony necessary for societal and cultural development.

What does the script suggest as a solution to the problems caused by mimetic rivalry?

The script suggests that the scapegoat mechanism is a solution, where an innocent party is blamed and removed to restore peace and order.

How does the script use the example of sunglasses to explain the scapegoating process?

The script uses the example of a person wanting sunglasses after seeing someone else with a cool pair, feeling resentment when they can't get them, and then blaming a friend for the situation, making the friend the scapegoat.

What is the significance of the scapegoat in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, the scapegoat is significant as it represents a psychological and social mechanism to resolve conflicts and restore a sense of peace and order within a community.