The ugly psychology behind scapegoating | Luke Burgis | Big Think

TL;DR

Desire is mimetic, leading to scapegoating; identifying scapegoats brings catharsis and relief.

Transcript

(light classical music) - Each of us thinks of ourselves as kind of a little god. It's very uncomfortable for us to think that our desires might not be entirely our own. There's a certain humility needed to understand that I'm the product of other people's desires, starting with my parents. Humans tends to group people on the inside and on the outs... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Desire is mimetic and imitative, leading to the scapegoating process.
• ❓ Scapegoating provides catharsis and relief for individuals and society.
• 😇 Scapegoats can be innocent or guilty and still fulfill their role effectively.
• ❓ Scapegoating occurs subconsciously, often through unconscious processes.
• 🍳 Scapegoats are selected based on deviation from societal norms or breaking taboos.
• 🖐️ Mimetic processes play a role in societal rituals like the death penalty.
• 🧡 Scapegoats can range from historical figures like Jesus to everyday individuals in sports, politics, and media.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is mimetic desire and how does it lead to scapegoating?

Mimetic desire is the imitation of others' desires, making it easier to scapegoat individuals perceived as different or problematic.

Q: Why do people engage in scapegoating behavior?

People scapegoat to transfer blame, achieve catharsis, and maintain social order by identifying a target for collective condemnation.

Q: How does the scapegoating process affect group identity and social cohesion?

Scapegoating can strengthen group identity by providing a sense of relief and peace after expelling or eliminating the identified scapegoat.

Q: Can scapegoats be innocent and still fulfill their role effectively?

Yes, scapegoats don't have to be innocent; they serve the purpose of providing catharsis for society regardless of their guilt or innocence.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Desire is mimetic, meaning it is imitative and groups can influence each other's desires.

• Scapegoats are used to transfer blame and achieve relief or healing for society.

• Scapegoating is subconscious, unconscious, and can involve both guilty and innocent individuals.