Know Your Enemy cover image

Know Your Enemy

René Girard and the Right (w/ John Ganz)

Feb 26, 2024
Exploring the fascination with René Girard on the right, his theories on violence and social order, Christianity's uniqueness, and the impact on modernity. Connections to Peter Thiel, mimetic desire, social media, victimhood, and literary banter. Also, discussion on upcoming book release.
01:39:44

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Rene Girard's theory explores how desires are shaped by imitating others, leading to conflicts and rivalries.
  • Girard's scapegoat mechanism in myths and societies masks underlying violence, while the Judeo-Christian tradition challenges societal norms.

Deep dives

Rene Girard's Theory of Mimetic Desire

Rene Girard's theory explores how desires are shaped by imitating others. He delves into the role of mediators who influence what individuals desire, leading to conflicts and rivalries. By analyzing literature from Cervantes to Dostoevsky, Girard unveils the triangular nature of desire, where individuals seek what others desire. This concept extends to modernity, where internal mediation intensifies competition and jealousy, reflecting a deep longing for being and exposing the tragically violent side of human nature.

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