Genealogy of Violence and Religion: Rene Girard in Dialogue

Rene Girard argued that religious practices sublimate, regulate, and discharge human violence in controlled rituals, and that social order stems from the unity of a lynch mob. James Bernard Murphy presents Girard's ideas against attacks by rival theorists, asking challenging, unsettling questions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2018
Publisher: Sussex Academic Press

Why are religious rituals, symbols, and rhetoric so full of images of blood, sacrifice, and death? Why does religious fervor so often lead to Holy War, Crusade, and Jihad? No wonder many people assume that religion tends to give rise to violence. But what if it were the other way around? What if violence actually gave rise to religion? So argued the French literary theorist and anthropologist Rene Girard (1923-2015). Described as the Darwin of the human sciences, he was elected to the French Academy in 2005 for his seminal theories of sacred violence. Girard argued that religious practices function to sublimate, regulate, and discharge human violence in controlled rituals. Where does violence come from? According to Girard, from the social nature of human desire itself. We desire things only because others desire them, so desire is inherently rivalrous, leading to violent conflict. But if a scapegoat can be found, then this war of all against all turns into a war of all against one. Social order, claimed Girard, stems from the unity of a lynch mob. Religious rituals then serve to commemorate the primordial murder of the scapegoat. What are we to make of Girard's provocative claims about human desire, violence, scapegoat killings, and religion?

Political philosopher James Bernard Murphy presents here a series of sharp and witty dialogues in which Girard attempts to defend his ideas against attacks by rival theorists, among them, Sigmund Freud, William James, Simone Weil, Elias Canetti, and Joseph de Maistre. Whatever we might think of his answers, Girard asks challenging, unsettling questions. In these illuminating and lively exchanges, Girard squares off with the titans of social theory.

Girard's theories of sacred violence have been controversial, with some critics arguing that they are too simplistic and reductionist. They argue that religion is not just about violence, but also about love, compassion, and social justice. Girard himself acknowledges that his theories do not capture the full complexity of religious practices and beliefs, but he believes that they offer a valuable insight into the origins of human violence and social order.

In conclusion, Girard's theories of sacred violence offer a provocative and challenging perspective on the origins of human desire, violence, scapegoat killings, and religion. While some may argue that they are too simplistic or reductionist, others believe that they offer a valuable insight into the origins of human violence and social order. It is important to approach Girard's theories with an open mind and a willingness to consider alternative perspectives.

Weight: 332g
Dimension: 200 x 140 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781845199289