The Ambivalence of Scarcity and Other Essays
First published in French in 1979, “The Ambivalence of Scarcity” was a groundbreaking work on mimetic theory. Now expanded upon with new, specially written, and never-before-published conference texts and essays, this revised edition explores René Girard’s philosophy in three sections: economy and economics, mimetic theory, and violence and politics in modern societies. The first section argues that though mimetic theory is in many ways critical of modern economic theory, this criticism can contribute to the enrichment of economic thinking. The second section explores the issues of nonviolence and misrecognition (méconnaissance), which have been at the center of many discussions of Girard’s work. The final section proposes mimetic analyses of the violence typical of modern societies, from high school bullying to genocide and terrorist attacks. Politics, Dumouchel argues, is a violent means of protecting us from our own violent tendencies, and it can at times become the source of the very savagery from which it seeks to protect us. The book’s conclusion analyzes the relationship between ethics and economics, opening new avenues of research and inviting further exploration. Dumouchel’s introduction reflects on the importance of René Girard’s work in relation to ongoing research, especially in social sciences and philosophy.
"1119405853"
The Ambivalence of Scarcity and Other Essays
First published in French in 1979, “The Ambivalence of Scarcity” was a groundbreaking work on mimetic theory. Now expanded upon with new, specially written, and never-before-published conference texts and essays, this revised edition explores René Girard’s philosophy in three sections: economy and economics, mimetic theory, and violence and politics in modern societies. The first section argues that though mimetic theory is in many ways critical of modern economic theory, this criticism can contribute to the enrichment of economic thinking. The second section explores the issues of nonviolence and misrecognition (méconnaissance), which have been at the center of many discussions of Girard’s work. The final section proposes mimetic analyses of the violence typical of modern societies, from high school bullying to genocide and terrorist attacks. Politics, Dumouchel argues, is a violent means of protecting us from our own violent tendencies, and it can at times become the source of the very savagery from which it seeks to protect us. The book’s conclusion analyzes the relationship between ethics and economics, opening new avenues of research and inviting further exploration. Dumouchel’s introduction reflects on the importance of René Girard’s work in relation to ongoing research, especially in social sciences and philosophy.
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The Ambivalence of Scarcity and Other Essays

The Ambivalence of Scarcity and Other Essays

by Paul Dumouchel
The Ambivalence of Scarcity and Other Essays

The Ambivalence of Scarcity and Other Essays

by Paul Dumouchel

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Overview

First published in French in 1979, “The Ambivalence of Scarcity” was a groundbreaking work on mimetic theory. Now expanded upon with new, specially written, and never-before-published conference texts and essays, this revised edition explores René Girard’s philosophy in three sections: economy and economics, mimetic theory, and violence and politics in modern societies. The first section argues that though mimetic theory is in many ways critical of modern economic theory, this criticism can contribute to the enrichment of economic thinking. The second section explores the issues of nonviolence and misrecognition (méconnaissance), which have been at the center of many discussions of Girard’s work. The final section proposes mimetic analyses of the violence typical of modern societies, from high school bullying to genocide and terrorist attacks. Politics, Dumouchel argues, is a violent means of protecting us from our own violent tendencies, and it can at times become the source of the very savagery from which it seeks to protect us. The book’s conclusion analyzes the relationship between ethics and economics, opening new avenues of research and inviting further exploration. Dumouchel’s introduction reflects on the importance of René Girard’s work in relation to ongoing research, especially in social sciences and philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781611861327
Publisher: Michigan State University Press
Publication date: 10/01/2014
Series: Studies in Violence, Mimesis & Culture
Edition description: 1
Pages: 388
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Paul Dumouchel is Professor of Philosophy at the Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction ix

Part 1 On Economy and Economics

The Ambivalence of Scarcity 3

Indifference and Envy: Girard and the Anthropological Analysis of Modern Economy 97

A Mimetic Rereading of Helmut Schoeck's Envy: A Theory of Social Behaviour 109

Homo mimeticus as an Economic Agent 127

Part 2 On Mimetic Theory

Mimetism and Autonomy 141

Violence and Nonviolence 155

Differences and Paradoxes: Reflections on Love and Violence in Girard's Work 171

Creation and Conversion in Girard 181

Mimetic Theory: Concepts and Models 195

"De la méconnaissance" 209

Part 3 On Violence and Politics in Modern Societies

Hobbes: The Sovereignty Race 227

Ijime 251

From Scapegoat to God 259

Violence and Indifference 275

Mimetism and Genocides 287

Suicide Attacks: Military and Social Aspects 301

Inside Out: Political Violence in the Age of Globalization 319

Conclusion: Ethics, Economics, and the State 333

Notes 351

Bibliography 371

Index 379

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