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Lecture III: Mimetic Rivalry and Girard's Theodicy | René Girard's Mimetic Theory

Johnathan Bi

CHAPTER

The Metaphysical Desire of Bipolarity

The very act of metaphysical desire causes a deep lack. We say, in the example you've provided, only if I obtain this amazing object, can I experience this fullness in being? Of course, that's also saying that the fullness of being does not reside within me now. It resides externally on that object over there. Because the external object holds so much weight, you experience mania when you're close to it and despair when you are far from it. This oscillation between pride and shame is in fact for Gerard what defines metaphysical desire.

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