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How does exposure of the victim's innocence affect the functioning of the scapegoat mechanism, as per Girard?

  • It no longer generates unity

  • Increases its effectiveness

  • No effect

  • Enlarges division

Answer

Girard argues that the scapegoat mechanism, in which a group of people project their negative emotions onto an individual and then ostracize or kill them, is the foundation of human culture. He says that this mechanism is necessary to maintain social order, because it allows people to come together and focus their anger on a single target.
The Legacy of René Girard: Unveiling the Hidden Truths of History and Literature

The Legacy of René Girard: Unveiling the Hidden Truths of History and Literature

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