How to Read René Girard

René Girard was a French historian, literary critic, and philosopher of social science. His work focused on understanding human desire, particularly how it leads to conflict and violence. He is best known for his theory of mimetic desire and his exploration of scapegoating and sacrifice in human societies.

1. Violence and the Sacred (1972): In this seminal work, Girard delves into the heart of social systems and the role of sacrifice, suggesting that violence is inextricably tied with the sacred in human societies.

Review: A deeply thought-provoking work that offers a fresh perspective on how societies function.

Reason to Read: To gain a unique understanding of the underpinnings of human culture and violence.

In a Nutshell: An exploration of how violence and the sacred are intertwined in human societies.

Key Quotes:

• “Violence is the heart and secret soul of the sacred.”
• “The purpose of ritual is to ‘make men forget the fundamental principle of their behavior.”

2. Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World (1978): In this work, Girard further develops his theories around violence, sacrifice, and the role of the scapegoat in society.

Review: A fascinating read that ties together anthropology, psychology, and religion to offer new insights into human behavior.

Reason to Read: For an in-depth look at the theory of mimetic desire and the scapegoat mechanism in society.

In a Nutshell: A wide-ranging exploration of how hidden forces shape human behavior and societies.

Key Quotes:

• “Each individual’s desire leads him to imitate the desire of another.”
• “The victim is not guilty; he is simply the individual chosen by the community in its misguided attempt to purify itself.”

3. I See Satan Fall Like Lightning (2001): This book offers a unique perspective on Christianity’s role in revealing the destructive nature of mimetic desire and scapegoating. Girard argues that the Bible demystifies the violent mechanisms of society, showing the innocence of the scapegoat and the culpability of the crowd.

Review: A riveting exploration of how biblical narratives reveal the violence inherent in human societies.

Reason to Read: To understand Girard’s view on how Christianity subverts the violent underpinnings of human culture.

In a Nutshell: A bold exploration of Christianity’s role in revealing and subverting violence in human societies.

Key Quotes:

• “The Gospels reveal the crowd as fickle, capricious, and inconstant.”
• “Christianity is the religion that puts an end to religions, provided that we agree about what we mean by “religion,” namely any communal organization that obliges its members to participate regularly in rites and ceremonies.”

4. Evolution and Conversion: Dialogues on the Origins of Culture (2007): In this series of interviews, Girard elaborates on his theories of mimetic desire, the scapegoat mechanism, and the biblical critique of violence.

Review: A great introduction to Girard’s thought that is more accessible than his denser works.

Reason to Read: To get a clear overview of Girard’s ideas in a conversational and engaging format.

In a Nutshell: A series of dialogues that offer a clear and engaging introduction to Girard’s theories.

Key Quotes:

• “We’re rivals, but we don’t understand that. We think we’re pursuing some objective good that the other person is preventing us from obtaining.”
• “The more the victim is guilty, the more the community is innocent. And the more the community is guilty, the more the victim is innocent.”

Girard’s work is a deep well of thought-provoking insights about human nature and culture. His theories of mimetic desire and scapegoating offer new ways to think about the origins of violence and the function of religion in society. For anyone interested in anthropology, sociology, philosophy, or theology, Girard is a must-read.

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