The insight shared delves into the idea that to avoid being persecuted, one may be tempted to join in the persecution of others, showcasing a tendency towards groupthink and a desire to shift blame away from oneself. The concept of joining the stone throwers to avoid being stoned highlights how individuals often choose to bond with persecutors instead of standing up against injustice. This behavior is illustrated through historical references of individuals like Herod and Pilate making friends after participating in the crucifixion, emphasizing the human inclination to join in persecution rather than addressing personal flaws.
If you're always imitating others or aspiring to be something else, what's left of the "authentic" you? According to the French philosopher René Girard, not much: Nothing can be truly authentic, he argued--everything comes from somewhere else. This is just one of the many original and counterintuitive claims put forth in Girard's sweeping approach to human history. He argues it is sameness, not our difference that leads to conflict, and he sees religion as a way to contain the chaos as opposed to its first cause. Listen as Stanford University scholar Cynthia Haven speaks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about Girard's theories of desire and violence. The conversation also includes a discussion of the power of forgiveness to put a stop to conflict's rinse-and-repeat.