The article considers the Girardian scapegoat theory, with regard to persecutory dynamics in small groups. Traditionally, in fact, the Girardian theoretical framework is referred, in a macro-sociological perspective, to social contexts such as countries and communities; the dynamics of small groups are a useful path for reflexion. The article, with references also to Kojeve and Lacan, sustains that human desire shows a triangular configuration and that human beings, from the Palaeolithic onwards, progressively equip themselves with a symbolic system based on language. The non self-sufficiency, the need for a mimetic other, especially in small groups and in moments of crisis, creates tension and conflict. Even in small groups, for Girard, conflict is resolved by identifying the scapegoat, to whom is attributed the blame par excellence: the moral violation of the norm of altruism. In this sense, as a consequence, guilty social actor will prefer order to change, and to act prudentially, remaining paralyzed by the fear of acting in a morally wrong way.

Il capro espiatorio nei piccoli gruppi. La violenza e la relazione dell’attore sociale per René Girard

CONTI, ULIANO
2020

Abstract

The article considers the Girardian scapegoat theory, with regard to persecutory dynamics in small groups. Traditionally, in fact, the Girardian theoretical framework is referred, in a macro-sociological perspective, to social contexts such as countries and communities; the dynamics of small groups are a useful path for reflexion. The article, with references also to Kojeve and Lacan, sustains that human desire shows a triangular configuration and that human beings, from the Palaeolithic onwards, progressively equip themselves with a symbolic system based on language. The non self-sufficiency, the need for a mimetic other, especially in small groups and in moments of crisis, creates tension and conflict. Even in small groups, for Girard, conflict is resolved by identifying the scapegoat, to whom is attributed the blame par excellence: the moral violation of the norm of altruism. In this sense, as a consequence, guilty social actor will prefer order to change, and to act prudentially, remaining paralyzed by the fear of acting in a morally wrong way.
2020
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11391/1475166
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