Mythological Thinking
Mythological Thinking
This chapter examines how the bigot manipulates myths and mythological thinking to serve his material and existential purposes. It argues that myths appeal to the bigot because he can easily adapt them to his self-serving outlook, that he employs stereotypes and double standards to justify his actions, that he resorts to conspiracy fetishism as a substitute for analysis, and that he is always susceptible to fanaticism. It also explains how the bigot's conspiracy fetishism is fueled by paranoia and projection, allowing him to feel justified in doing himself what he believes that the target of his hatred is doing. Finally, the chapter describes how mythological thinking builds the scapegoat into the bigot's conceptual apparatus from the start, this scapegoat being a construct of his prejudice.
Keywords: bigot, myths, mythological thinking, stereotypes, double standards, conspiracy fetishism, fanaticism, hatred, scapegoat, prejudice
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