mush
May 7, 2008 4:48 PM Subscribe
I'm thinking of a term to describe a causation related to taboos.
Forgive me, I feel like it's something simple, but my mind is beginning to morph into the jello that I ate for breakfast this morning, amidst the pages upon pages of term papers.
I'm looking for a term that goes something like this:
a fear/concern over something ---> fear becomes an obsession ---> becomes solidified, crystallized into a "rule" (whether unwritten or fixed) to control a fear ---> fear becomes an obsession ---> the direct opposite of the intent unfolds - the fear now becomes the unintended reality.
That probably sounds like the amorphous jello that is my brain, but here is the example I am trying to argue for:
In Islam, an unwritten rule concerning the visual depictions of prophets (or all people, depending), specifically the prophet Muhammad. The reasoning for this is generally out of a concern that depictions may lead to idolatry.
However, the near *obsession* with this idea has the adverse effect. The fear over imagery of Muhammad bestows him (in my argument, Muhammad) a heightened reverence. Dare I say, it may lead a kind of deification. To have such concern over showing his face (usually a blob in film, or some artistic representations, or a big beam of light), removes some of his essential qualities, and puts him on a pedestal that is - not just prophet or messenger - but a heightened charisma, that is not at all like the rest of us. And... results in a form of idolatry, in a way.
Does this make any sense at all? What is the term for this kind of causation?
(ps: I am not looking to argue about whether or not this is true, and am well aware of the omgfreakout!noyoucantsaymuhammadisgod! concern by some for even stating such a thing, being a former Muslim myself.)
Forgive me, I feel like it's something simple, but my mind is beginning to morph into the jello that I ate for breakfast this morning, amidst the pages upon pages of term papers.
I'm looking for a term that goes something like this:
a fear/concern over something ---> fear becomes an obsession ---> becomes solidified, crystallized into a "rule" (whether unwritten or fixed) to control a fear ---> fear becomes an obsession ---> the direct opposite of the intent unfolds - the fear now becomes the unintended reality.
That probably sounds like the amorphous jello that is my brain, but here is the example I am trying to argue for:
In Islam, an unwritten rule concerning the visual depictions of prophets (or all people, depending), specifically the prophet Muhammad. The reasoning for this is generally out of a concern that depictions may lead to idolatry.
However, the near *obsession* with this idea has the adverse effect. The fear over imagery of Muhammad bestows him (in my argument, Muhammad) a heightened reverence. Dare I say, it may lead a kind of deification. To have such concern over showing his face (usually a blob in film, or some artistic representations, or a big beam of light), removes some of his essential qualities, and puts him on a pedestal that is - not just prophet or messenger - but a heightened charisma, that is not at all like the rest of us. And... results in a form of idolatry, in a way.
Does this make any sense at all? What is the term for this kind of causation?
(ps: I am not looking to argue about whether or not this is true, and am well aware of the omgfreakout!noyoucantsaymuhammadisgod! concern by some for even stating such a thing, being a former Muslim myself.)
I think it would be clearer, for the sake of your paper, to label this simply as an "unintended consequence." Your audience will readily grok that concept.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:03 PM on May 7, 2008
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:03 PM on May 7, 2008
Definitely "unintended consequences". Here's another example:
In Europe it's nearly impossible for companies to lay employees off. The purpose of this government policy is to increase employment rates.
But because companies cannot lay off employees in bad times, they don't hire as many in good times for fear of being stuck with unsustainable staffing levels in bad times -- and as a result, Europe's unemployment rate during booms is higher than the US's unmployment rate during recessions. The "no layoffs" policy has resulted in higher unemployment, not lower.
posted by Class Goat at 5:45 PM on May 7, 2008
In Europe it's nearly impossible for companies to lay employees off. The purpose of this government policy is to increase employment rates.
But because companies cannot lay off employees in bad times, they don't hire as many in good times for fear of being stuck with unsustainable staffing levels in bad times -- and as a result, Europe's unemployment rate during booms is higher than the US's unmployment rate during recessions. The "no layoffs" policy has resulted in higher unemployment, not lower.
posted by Class Goat at 5:45 PM on May 7, 2008
The taboo "backfired".
posted by -harlequin- at 6:08 PM on May 7, 2008
posted by -harlequin- at 6:08 PM on May 7, 2008
It has the opposite of its intended consequence. Don't worry about finding a single jargon word, just express your idea simply and clearly. I am grading term papers now, and I would much rather have a simple clear explanation in everyday terms than an explanation that involves some theoretical or made up etc term. Such terms cloud the writer's meaning in almost every case.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:57 PM on May 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:57 PM on May 7, 2008 [1 favorite]
Self-fulfilling prophecy?
Sounds pretty typical in tragedy, i.e. Oedipus' parents here that he's going to kill his father and marry his mother so they leave him to die on the hillside, but he's found by a farm couple. Then HE hears the prophecy and leaves who he THINKS are his parents, and the rest is, well, tragedy...
posted by dagnyscott at 6:21 AM on May 8, 2008
Sounds pretty typical in tragedy, i.e. Oedipus' parents here that he's going to kill his father and marry his mother so they leave him to die on the hillside, but he's found by a farm couple. Then HE hears the prophecy and leaves who he THINKS are his parents, and the rest is, well, tragedy...
posted by dagnyscott at 6:21 AM on May 8, 2008
Second on self-fulfilling prophecy. That's definitely the phrase you're looking for.
posted by MaddyRex at 10:23 AM on May 8, 2008
posted by MaddyRex at 10:23 AM on May 8, 2008
Except that it isn't a prophecy or prediction.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:55 AM on May 8, 2008
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:55 AM on May 8, 2008
Oops. Reread the question. I think "self-defeating" or "defeats the purpose" is the term you're looking for. Good luck.
posted by MaddyRex at 1:38 PM on May 8, 2008
posted by MaddyRex at 1:38 PM on May 8, 2008
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posted by adamrice at 4:57 PM on May 7, 2008