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To be "caught up in the mimetic contagion" (Girard) means that one identifies
with the group, or partakes in the belief in the "goodness" of the group.
This is what writers on Nazism call "obedience to authority."
However, the ability to allow oneself to be caught up in the mimetic
contagion depends upon a sense of righteousness, or self-righteousness. One
needs to feel that attacking, killing is good or necessary.
Violence is undertaken "in the name of" the sacred thing. The sacred thing,
in contemporary societies often is one's beloved "nation."
That which is beloved is that which kills. One kills in the name of that
which is loved.
The desire to fuse with the group may feel almost involuntary (therefore one
may hesitate to call it a desire). However, desire IS involved. One has to
WANT to be part of the group ("nobody wants to be left out, it's a family
affair").
It feels as if partaking is not an act of volition because the pull of
society seems so intense. This is why we wish to turn on the television or
listen to the radio or read the newspaper: because we want to PARTICIPATE IN
THE SACRIFICIAL SPECTACLE.
Of course, it is possible (through an act of will) to turn off the television
or radio, to avoid glancing at newspapers. However, then one is separated
from the group: ONE IS A SINNER. One is not committed to the sacred object.
Either one partakes of the sacrificial ritual, or one is excluded, and NOBODY
WANT TO BE LEFT OUT.
What is the meaning of the sacrificial spectacle? The idea is that SOMEONE
HAS TO SUFFER IN THE NAME OF THE SACRED OBJECT. As long as someone is
suffering or dying, then we know that the sacred object is alive. The nation
is a god that feeds on the blood of sacrificial victims.
Richard A. Koenigsberg, Ph. D.
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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=
=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">To be "caught up in the mimetic contagion" (Girard) me=
ans that one identifies with the group, or partakes in the belief in the "go=
odness" of the group. This is what writers on Nazism call "obedience to auth=
ority." <BR>
<BR>
However, the ability to allow oneself to be caught up in the mimetic contagi=
on depends upon a sense of righteousness, or self-righteousness. One needs t=
o feel that attacking, killing is good or necessary.<BR>
<BR>
Violence is undertaken "in the name of" the sacred thing. The sacred thing,=20=
in contemporary societies often is one's beloved "nation."<BR>
<BR>
That which is beloved is that which kills. One kills in the name of that whi=
ch is loved. <BR>
<BR>
The desire to fuse with the group may feel almost involuntary (therefore one=
may hesitate to call it a desire). However, desire IS involved. One has to=20=
WANT to be part of the group ("nobody wants to be left out, it's a family af=
fair").<BR>
<BR>
It feels as if partaking is not an act of volition because the pull of socie=
ty seems so intense. This is why we wish to turn on the television or listen=
to the radio or read the newspaper: because we want to PARTICIPATE IN THE S=
ACRIFICIAL SPECTACLE.<BR>
<BR>
Of course, it is possible (through an act of will) to turn off the televisio=
n or radio, to avoid glancing at newspapers. However, then one is separated=20=
from the group: ONE IS A SINNER. One is not committed to the sacred object.=20=
Either one partakes of the sacrificial ritual, or one is excluded, and NOBOD=
Y WANT TO BE LEFT OUT.<BR>
<BR>
What is the meaning of the sacrificial spectacle? The idea is that SOMEONE H=
AS TO SUFFER IN THE NAME OF THE SACRED OBJECT. As long as someone is sufferi=
ng or dying, then we know that the sacred object is alive. The nation is a g=
od that feeds on the blood of sacrificial victims.<BR>
<BR>
Richard A. Koenigsberg, Ph. D.</FONT></HTML>
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