Other Life The Key Ideas of René Girard: Mimetic Desire, Violence, and Christianity with Geoff Shullenberger
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May 3, 2021 AI Snips
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Mimetic Desire Sparks Conflict
- Rene Girard's theory centers on mimetic desire, where people want things because others want them.
- This imitation of desire is the root of human conflict and rivalry.
Downton Abbey Scapegoat Example
- In Downton Abbey, a servant with a limp is scapegoated by others, illustrating Girard's idea of the victim with a flaw.
- This character's limp marks him as the target for collective hostility.
Christianity Debunks Scapegoating
- Girard's work is deeply Christian, presenting philosophy and anthropology that vindicates Christian faith.
- Christianity uniquely exposes scapegoating by portraying the victim as innocent, differing from mythic traditions.