Mimetic theory

The mimetic theory of desire, an explanation of human behavior in relation to culture, originated with the French historian, literary critic, and philosopher of social scienceRené Girard (1923–2015). The name of the theory derives from the philosophical concept mimesis, which carries a wide range of meanings. In mimetic theory, mimesis refers to human desire, which Girard thought was not linear but the product of a mimetic process in which people imitate models who endow objects with value.^[1] Girard called this phenomenon "mimetic desire", and described mimetic desire as the foundation of his theory:

"Man is the creature who does not know what to desire, and he turns to others in order to make up his mind. We desire what others desire because we imitate their desires."^[2]

Mimetic theory has two main parts – the desire itself, and the resulting scapegoating. Girard's idea proposes that all desire is merely an imitation of another's desire, and the desire only occurs because others have deemed said object as worthwhile. This means that a desirable object is only desired because of societal ideas, and is not based on personal preference like most believe.^[1] The mimetic desire is triangular, based on the subject, model, and object. The subject mimics the model, and both desire the object. Subject and model thus form a rivalry which eventually leads to the scapegoat mechanism.

The scapegoat mechanism has one requirement for it to be effective in restoring the peace; all participants in the removal of the scapegoat must genuinely believe that he is guilty. It is also essential that the scapegoat cannot strike back afterwards, so it is common for him to be killed. Once he is gone, peace will quickly be restored, further confirming his "guilt". However, the scapegoat is chosen arbitrarily. The resulting peace is borne from violence, and this form of violence controlling violence has existed since the beginning of civilizations.^[3]

ジラールは、私たちはこの模倣的欲望から真に逃れることはできず、そうしようとしても結局は別のレベルで模倣のゲームをすることになるだけだと信じていた。スケープゴートによる暴力を終わらせるためには、平和への新たな欲望が育まれなければならない。しかし、この欲望のモデルは、何らかの形でスケープゴート化の傾向を超越しなければならない。^{[ 4 ]}

近年では、ジラールの同僚や批評家によって模倣理論が拡張され、経済学の観点からはジャン＝ピエール・デュピュイ、哲学の観点からはフィリップ・ラクー・ラバルト、模倣研究の観点からはニデシュ・ロートゥーなどが挙げられる。模倣研究は、欲望だけでなく、すべての情動が模倣的であると主張する。^{[ 5 ]}

• ルネ・ジラール。『私はサタンが稲妻のように落ちるのを見た』。ニューヨーク、NY：オービス・ブックス、2001年。
• ルネ・ジラール、ブノワ・シャントル共著。『最後まで戦い抜く：ブノワ・シャントルとの対話』。ミシガン州イーストランシング：ミシガン州立大学出版局、2009年。
• ルネ・ジラール。『進化と転換：文化の起源に関する対話』ロンドン：ブルームズベリー出版、2017年。