Homo Mimeticus

A New Theory of Imitation
Erscheinungsjahr 2022
ISBN: 978-94-6270-346-9
Verlag: Leuven University Press

Buch, Englisch, 358 Seiten, Format (B × H): 154 mm x 231 mm, Gewicht: 558 g

Genealogy of one of the most ancient and

influential concepts in western thought: Mimesis

Imitation is, perhaps more than ever, constitutive of human originality. Many things have changed since the emergence of an original species called Homo sapiens, but in the digital age humans remain mimetic creatures: from the development of consciousness to education, aesthetics to politics, mirror neurons to brain plasticity, digital simulations to emotional contagion, (new) fascist insurrections to viral contagion, we are unconsciously formed, deformed, and transformed by the all too human tendency to imitate—for both good and ill. Crossing disciplines as diverse as philosophy, aesthetics, and politics, Homo Mimeticus proposes a new theory of one of the most influential concepts in western thought (mimesis) to confront some of the hypermimetic challenges of the present and future.

Written in an accessible yet rigorous style, Homo Mimeticus appeals to both a specialized and general readership. It can be used in courses of modern and contemporary philosophy, aesthetics, political theory, literary criticism/theory, media studies, and new mimetic studies.

Ebook available in Open Access.

This publication is GPRC-labeled (Guaranteed Peer-Reviewed Content).

Watch the recording of the book launch: https://youtu.be/3fRhGvbv0Pg

Autoren/Hrsg.

Lawtoo, Nidesh

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Medienwissenschaften
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Ästhetik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Sozialphilosophie, Politische Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Philosophie: Allgemeines, Methoden

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: Drawing Mimetic Studies

PART 1 — GENEALOGIES: FOUNDATIONS Chapter 1: Birth of Homo Mimeticus Chapter 2: Vita Mimetica in the Cave Chapter 3: Sameness and Difference Replayed

PART 2 — AESTHETICS: CASE STUDIES Chapter 4: The Plasticity of Mimesis Chapter 5: On Animal and Human Mimicry Chapter 6: The Human Chameleon

PART 3 — POLITICS: MIMETIC RE-TURNS Chapter 7: Banality of Evil/Mimetic Complexity Chapter 8: Vibrant Mimesis Chapter 9: The Age of Viral Reproduction

Coda: The Complexity of Mimesis: A Dialogue with Edgar Morin

Notes Bibliography Index

Über Autor(innen)

Lawtoo, Nidesh
Nidesh Lawtoo is a philosopher and cultural critic, professor of Modern European Literature and Culture at Leiden University.