Mimesis and Science : Empirical Research on Imitation and the Mimetic Theory of Culture and Religion.

This exciting compendium brings together, for the first time, some of the foremost scholars of René Girard's mimetic theory, with leading imitation researchers from the cognitive, developmental, and neuro sciences. These chapters explore some of the major discoveries and developments concerning the foundational, yet previously overlooked, role of imitation in human life, revealing the unique theoretical links that can now be made from the neural basis of social interaction to the structure and evolution of human culture and religion. Together, mimetic scholars and imitation researchers are on the cutting edge of some of the most important breakthroughs in understanding the distinctive human capacity for both incredible acts of empathy and compassion as well as mass antipathy and violence. As a result, this interdisciplinary volume promises to help shed light on some of the most pressing and complex questions of our contemporary world. Preface Chapter 1: Human Imitation: Historical, Philosophical, and Scientific Perspectives / Scott R. Garrels Part 1: Imitation in Child Development and Adult Psychology Chapter 2: From Universal Mimesis to the Self Formed by Desire / Jean-Michel Oughourlian Chapter 3: Out of the Mouths of Babes: Imitation, Gaze, and Intentions in Infant Research -- the ""Like Me"" Framework / Andrew N. Meltzoff Chapter 4: Emotions and Mimesis / Paul Dumouchel Chapter 5: The Two Sides of Mimesis: Mimetic Theory, Embodied Simulation, and Social Identification / Vittorio Gallese Part 2: Imitation in Human Evolution, Culture, and ReligionChapter 6: Imitation, Communion, and Culture / Ann Cale Kruger Chapter 7: Imitation and Violence: Empirical Evidence and the Mimetic Model / Mark R. Anspach Chapter 8: Sacred Violence, Mimetic Rivalry, and War / Melvin Konner Chapter 9: Desire, Mimesis, and the Phylogeny of Freedom / William B. Hurlbut Chapter 10: Naturalizing Mimetic Theory / Jean-Pierre Dupuy Chapter 11: Mimesis and Science: An Interview with Rene Girard / Scott R. Garrels Contributors Index