

Lecture II: Mimetic Desire and Original Sin | René Girard's Mimetic Theory
91 snips Dec 10, 2022
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Mimetic Desire's Importance
- Mimetic desire and metaphysical desire are key elements of Girard's psychology.
- These forces distinguish humans as social creatures and drive history.
Mimesis and Human Behavior
- Mimesis is the human capacity to copy external behaviors, similar to Hume's concept of sympathy but broader.
- It constitutes us as social beings, influencing actions, judgments, values, and experiences.
Mimesis as Normative Authority
- Mimesis provides normative certainty, helping us determine values like good and beautiful.
- We gain confidence when our internalized values align with others, leading to a sense of legitimacy.