Bishop Barron on René Girard

Summary

The video script discusses the life and work of French philosopher René Girard, who is celebrated for his revolutionary theories on human desire and conflict. Girard's concept of mimetic desire, where people imitate the wants of others, often leads to triangular conflicts. This dynamic, he argues, results in the scapegoating mechanism, where a group unites by blaming an outsider for their struggles. Girard's analysis of literature and culture reveals the sacralization of this violence, but he finds Christianity unique as it unmask the scapegoating mechanism, identifying God with the victim rather than the perpetrators. This perspective challenges the common view of Christianity as just another myth, highlighting its role in deconstructing the cycle of violence.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ Rene Girard was a renowned Catholic philosopher who passed away and is expected to be remembered as a Church Father in future centuries.
• 🎓 Girard was a Frenchman, a member of the prestigious French Academy, and made his academic reputation in the United States at institutions like Indiana University, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins.
• 📚 His research started in literature, focusing on the works of Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, and Proust, where he identified a triangular and mimetic dynamic of human desire.
• 🔺 Girard's theory suggests that desires are often imitative, not straightforward, leading to conflicts and the scapegoating mechanism.
• 📈 Advertising and children's behavior exemplify the mimetic desire, where wanting something is influenced by others' desires.
• 🌐 Scapegoating mechanism leads to conflicts and is often unconscious, as people tend to blame others or groups for societal struggles.
• 🤝 This mechanism can create a sense of solidarity and peace when a group unites against a common 'enemy'.
• 📚 Girard observed that myths and literature often sacralize violence and scapegoating, presenting it as a solution to societal problems.
• 📖 In contrast, Girard found the Bible unique as it unmasked the identification between gods and the scapegoating mechanism, siding with the victim rather than endorsing violence.
• 🛐 Girard's insights challenge the view of Christianity as just another myth, instead revealing it as the deconstruction of mythological violence and a true revelation.

Q & A

Who is Rene Girard and what is his significance?

René Girard was a French-born Catholic philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of anthropology, sociology, and theology. He is noted for his theories on mimetic desire and the scapegoat mechanism, which he believed are central to human conflict and resolution. His work is considered revolutionary and has had a profound impact on the understanding of human behavior and culture.

What is mimetic desire according to Girard?

Mimetic desire, as described by Girard, is the idea that human desires are often not direct or spontaneous but are shaped by imitation. We desire something not necessarily because of its intrinsic value but because others desire it, creating a triangular dynamic involving the self, the object of desire, and the model or other person who is desired.

How does advertising often exploit the concept of mimetic desire?

Advertising frequently uses the principle of mimetic desire by associating products with popular figures or creating a sense of exclusivity and desirability. This encourages consumers to want the product because someone else, often a celebrity or a peer, wants it, tapping into the imitative nature of human desire.

What is the scapegoating mechanism as described by Girard?

The scapegoating mechanism, according to Girard, is a process where a group or society identifies a common enemy or outsider to blame for their internal conflicts and problems. This act of blaming the 'other' can temporarily unite the group and bring about a sense of peace and solidarity, but it often involves the unjust persecution of the scapegoat.

How does Girard view the role of scapegoating in literature and mythology?

Girard sees scapegoating as a recurring theme in literature and mythology, often portrayed as a sacred or necessary act that resolves conflict and brings peace. He argues that these narratives sacralize violence and the scapegoating process, presenting it as a solution to societal tensions.

What does Girard find unique about the Bible in relation to the scapegoating mechanism?

Girard finds the Bible's portrayal of the scapegoating mechanism unique because it unmaskes the identification between the gods and the scapegoating process. Unlike other mythologies, the Bible, particularly in the Christian narrative, identifies God with the victim rather than the persecutors, revealing the dynamics of sacred violence and challenging the idea of violence being sanctioned by the divine.

How does Girard's interpretation of Christianity differ from the mono-myth theory?

Girard's interpretation of Christianity stands in contrast to the mono-myth theory, which suggests that all religions and mythologies share a common structure. Girard argues that Christianity is not just another iteration of the mono-myth but rather a deconstruction of it, revealing and critiquing the dynamics of sacred violence and scapegoating that other myths often veil.

What is the significance of the story 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson in Girard's theory?

The story 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson is significant in Girard's theory as it vividly displays the scapegoating mechanism in action. The story illustrates how a community sacralizes violence through an annual ritual that involves the selection and sacrifice of a member, highlighting the collective nature of scapegoating and its role in maintaining social order.

How does Girard's work contribute to the understanding of human conflict?

Girard's work contributes to the understanding of human conflict by offering a theoretical framework that explains how mimetic desire and the scapegoating mechanism lead to conflict and violence. His theories provide insights into the psychological and social dynamics that underlie human behavior, particularly in situations of tension and strife.

Why might Girard be considered a 'Church Father' in the future?

Girard might be considered a 'Church Father' in the future because his work offers a profound and original interpretation of Christianity that reclaims its uniqueness and indispensability. At a time when some academics sought to reduce Christianity to a common myth, Girard's theories reinvigorated the understanding of its role in unmasking and critiquing the dynamics of sacred violence and scapegoating.