Memetic Theory

A Memetic Theory is a Mental Content Theory based on memes.

• • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Genetics.
• See: Mimesis, Mental Content, Darwinian Evolution, Evolutionary Model, Information Transfer.

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References

2015

• (Wikipedia, 2015) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/memetics Retrieved:2015-11-22.
  • Memetics is a theory of mental content based on an analogy with Darwinian evolution, originating from the popularization of Richard Dawkins' 1976 book The Selfish Gene. Proponents describe memetics as an approach to evolutionary models of cultural information transfer.

    The meme, analogous to a gene, was conceived as a "unit of culture" (an idea, belief, pattern of behaviour, etc.) which is "hosted" in the minds of one or more individuals, and which can reproduce itself, thereby jumping from mind to mind. Thus what would otherwise be regarded as one individual influencing another to adopt a belief is seen as an idea-replicator reproducing itself in a new host. As with genetics, particularly under a Dawkinsian interpretation, a meme's success may be due to its contribution to the effectiveness of its host.

    Memetics is also notable for sidestepping the traditional concern with the truth of ideas and beliefs. Instead, it is interested in their success.

    The Usenet newsgroup alt.memetics started in 1993 with peak posting years in the mid to late 1990s. The Journal of Memetics was published electronically from 1997 to 2005.

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