Hermitix René Girard and Western Philosophy - Part 2: Girard and Philosophy
Jan 23, 2025
Andreas Wilmes, a philosophy lecturer and expert on René Girard, dives into the philosopher's intricate theories on human desire, violence, and identity. He examines Girard's connections to Western thinkers like Plato and Machiavelli, offering insights into the neglect of violence in philosophical discourse. The conversation highlights Girard's analogical thinking and critiques of political interpretations, while also anticipating future volumes on philosophical themes. Wilmes encourages a fresh engagement with Girard's ideas within the broader context of philosophy.
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Girard's Interdisciplinary Nature
- Girard's work blends myth, religion, philosophy, literature, and anthropology.
- This makes classifying him as solely a philosopher, theologian, or anthropologist difficult.
Girard's Self-Identification
- Girard considered himself a historian, literary critic, and social scientist.
- He explicitly stated he wasn't a philosopher or a Christian philosopher.
Girard's Unpublished Essay on Laughter
- Girard wrote an unpublished essay on laughter in the phenomenological style.
- He aimed to critique phenomenology and demonstrate its limitations in understanding laughter's nature.
