Psychologie als Überlebensstrategie

Abstract

The article adresses the impact of mimicry on social theory. It shows how Friedrich Nietzsche made use of the concept to reconstruct and uncover the genealogy of modern democracy. Drawing on evolutionary theory—both Darwinian and Lamarckian—mimicry is depicted as a mental disposition essential for the strategies used by the weak to survive. As in mimetic animals, these strategies are based on hiding, disguise and deceit. What is of particular importance in this mental disposition is the capacity of anticipating the reactions of the opponent and to show „empathy“. All this, according to Nietzsche, can be seen as integral part of the „slave character“. Therefore, the concept of mimicry is used to discredit democracy as a political order.