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.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Legacy of René Girard and Mimetic Desire

The paragraph introduces René Girard, a renowned Catholic philosopher who passed away and is expected to be remembered as a Church Father in the future. Girard was a Frenchman who made significant contributions to academia, particularly in the United States at institutions like the University of Indiana and Stanford University. He is celebrated for his revolutionary ideas on human desire, which he initially explored through literary figures like Shakespeare and Dostoyevsky. Girard proposed that desire is often mimetic and triangular, meaning that people typically want things because others want them, leading to conflicts. This concept is illustrated through examples from advertising and children's behavior. Girard further explained that this dynamic often results in the scapegoating mechanism, where a group or individual is blamed for societal conflicts, providing temporary unity and peace. He observed this mechanism in literature, culture, and even in historical events like wars and dictatorships.

05:02

🔍 The Scapegoating Mechanism and Its Impact

This paragraph delves deeper into the scapegoating mechanism, explaining how it operates on an unconscious level and leads to the sacralization of violence in myths and literature. It discusses how this mechanism is used to create a sense of unity and peace by blaming a third party for societal issues. The paragraph references historical examples, such as Hitler's use of scapegoating to consolidate power in Germany. Girard's analysis of the scapegoating mechanism in literature, particularly in Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery,' is highlighted. The paragraph contrasts the common cultural acceptance of sacred violence with Girard's reading of the Bible, which he found to be a unique revelation against the scapegoating mechanism. The Bible, according to Girard, unmasked the false identification of gods with violence and instead identified God with the victim, as seen in the crucifixion of Jesus. This perspective challenges the common view of Christianity as just another iteration of the monom myth and positions it as a deconstruction of such myths, revealing the dynamics that other myths seek to veil.

Keywords

💡Rene Girard

Rene Girard was a French philosopher and historian of ideas, known for his theories on human behavior and the roots of conflict. In the video, Girard is described as a revolutionary thinker whose ideas on mimetic desire and the scapegoat mechanism challenge traditional views on human interaction and conflict resolution. His work is positioned as a significant contribution to understanding the dynamics of human desire and the origins of violence.

💡Mimetic Desire

Mimetic desire refers to the tendency of individuals to imitate the desires of others, often leading to competition and conflict over the same object or goal. In the video, it is explained as a triangular dynamic involving the self, the object of desire, and the other person who also desires the object. This concept is central to Girard's theory and is used to explain how desires are not straightforward but are often shaped by the desires of others, as illustrated by examples from advertising and children's behavior.

💡Triangular Desire

Triangular desire is a concept introduced by Girard to describe the complex, three-sided nature of human desire, involving the self, the object of desire, and a mediator or model whose desire influences the self. The video explains that this dynamic often leads to conflict, as individuals compete for the same object that another person also desires, creating a cycle of escalating desire and potential violence.

💡Scapegoating Mechanism

The scapegoating mechanism is a psychological and social process where a group collectively identifies and targets an individual or group as the cause of their problems, thereby uniting against a common enemy and temporarily resolving internal conflicts. In the video, this mechanism is discussed as a common theme in literature and a tool used by dictators to manipulate public sentiment, as exemplified by Hitler's targeting of Jews in Nazi Germany.

💡Sacred Violence

Sacred violence is the notion that violence can be justified or sanctified by religious or cultural beliefs, often as a means to restore order or peace. The video contrasts this concept with Girard's view that the Bible unmaskes the false association between divinity and violence, revealing that true divinity identifies with the victim, not the perpetrator of violence.

💡Apocalypse

In the context of the video, apocalypse refers to a revelation or an unveiling of truth, particularly in relation to the dynamics of sacred violence and the scapegoating mechanism. It is used to describe the moment when the true nature of these mechanisms is exposed, as in the biblical narrative where the true God is revealed to be against the scapegoating mechanism, not in support of it.

💡Mono-myth

The mono-myth, as mentioned in the video, is a concept from Joseph Campbell's work on comparative mythology, suggesting that there is a single, universal myth that underlies all religious and cultural narratives. The video argues that Girard's analysis of Christianity shows it is not just another iteration of the mono-myth but rather a deconstruction of it, revealing the underlying dynamics of violence and conflict that other myths often veil.

💡Fellow Feeling

Fellow feeling, as discussed in the video, refers to the sense of solidarity or unity that can arise when a group collectively blames a third party for their problems. This concept is tied to the scapegoating mechanism, where the act of blaming someone else for the group's issues can temporarily create a sense of unity and peace among the group members.

💡Literary Masters

The term 'literary masters' in the video refers to great authors like Shakespeare and Dostoevsky, whose works Girard studied to identify patterns of mimetic desire and the scapegoating mechanism. These authors are noted for their deep insights into human nature, which Girard believed reflected the underlying dynamics of conflict and violence that he sought to understand and explain.

💡Deconstruction

Deconstruction, in the context of the video, is the process of breaking down and analyzing the underlying assumptions and structures of a belief system or narrative. Girard's work is described as a deconstruction of the mono-myth, revealing the mechanisms of sacred violence and scapegoating that other myths often obscure or sanctify.

Highlights

Rene Girard, a renowned Catholic philosopher, passed away and is predicted to be regarded as a Church Father in the future.

Girard was a Frenchman and a member of the prestigious French Academy.

He made his academic reputation in the United States, particularly at Indiana University and later at Stanford University.

Girard's research began in literary studies, focusing on authors like Shakespeare and Dostoevsky.

He introduced the concept of triangular desire, suggesting that human desire is often imitative and not straightforward.

Girard's theory posits that desire is mimetic, leading to conflict due to competition over the same object.

The scapegoating mechanism is identified by Girard as a way to resolve conflicts by blaming a third party.

Girard found that scapegoating often leads to a temporary sense of unity and peace among the group.

The scapegoating mechanism is often sacralized in literature and mythology, presenting it as a positive force.

Girard's reading of the Bible revealed its unique stance against the scapegoating mechanism and sacred violence.

In Christianity, God is depicted as identifying with the victim, not the perpetrators of violence.

Girard's work challenges the view that Christianity is just another iteration of the mono-myth.

He argues that Christianity is the deconstruction of the mono-myth, revealing the dynamics that myths attempt to veil.

Girard's insights are significant for a culture that is becoming increasingly skeptical of religious uniqueness.

His work reclaims Christianity as something uniquely real and essential.

Girard's ideas are expected to have a lasting impact, potentially earning him the title of a Church Father.

Transcripts

[Music]

well just recently one of the great

Catholic philosophers in the world

passed away Renee jirar and I think

jihar will be appreciated as a kind of

Church Father in the centuries that come

um he was a Frenchman born in Aenon uh

member of the academy Franz you know the

most prestigious academic Society

probably the world uh but he made his

reputation here in America at the

University of Indiana he ended up at

Stanford University also taught I think

at John's Hopkins um there are some

academics that um will begal you with

some interesting ideas other academics

who will shake your world and I think

gerar belongs in that second Camp uh one

of these thinkers that uh had an idea

that that was really

revolutionary his research began in the

literary field uh people like

Shakespeare and Doki and PR especially

and he found in these

writers a

dynamic of human desire what he found

was that desire is often triangular and

memetic a fancy way of saying something

really quite simple that we rarely

desire things in a straightforward way

that's good I want it because some of

it's properties normally typically we

desire things in a mimetic way an

imitative way I want that because you

want it I'm imitating your desire you're

imitating my desire you see now why I

say triangular it's myself the object

and another set up a triangular and

memetic um Dynamic if this sounds

abstract um it's not look at um

advertising most advertising Works

according to this ardian principle how

come I want that U pair of gym shoes

because of its intrinsic worth and value

well maybe partially but largely because

the NBA star over there also wants those

gym shoes advertising is predicated upon

a triangular and mimetic U

desire also look at the way any little

kids uh if there's a bunch of toys over

here and a kid's playing happily with a

ball or something and then Along Comes a

second toddler and he wants something

from that pile immediately suddenly this

kid wants it too it was a matter of

utter indifference until the other

toddler wanted it a triangular memetic

uh Dynamic okay what do that lead to

well it tends to lead jar said to

conflict and again watch it with any uh

toddlers or watch it with dictator a

wants access to the Sea and suddenly

dictator B wants the same access to the

Sea and outbreaks a war see so from

mimic triangular desire tends to come

conflict what this leads to is what

Gerard called the scapegoating mechanism

he found this too in the great literary

master ERS what's a scapegoating

mechanism when I say mechanism I imply

with him it's largely unconscious that's

something that we're consciously aware

of I tend to find someone or some group

to blame I'll say he's responsible she's

responsible or they're responsible for

the the struggles that we're having and

I often find someone a little bit

different strange looking strange

sounding from a different place or

something and I will project onto that

person all of the struggle that's caused

by mtic triangular desire and in the

process what happens is we do come

together in a sort of urat piece so as

as together we blame this third party we

at least for a moment experience a rush

of solidarity and a rush of um of peace

there's the scapegoating

mechanism uh watch uh this Dynamic

everywhere one you see it uh I remember

when I was going through grad school I

heard this phrase for the first time

that the only thing that two academics

can agree on is how poor the work of a

third academic is so academics of course

famously disagree but they'll come

together by saying isn't his work

terrible or watch the way people talk to

each other we'll talk about anod things

for a while but then pretty quickly we

turn to gossiping and to blaming and

there is a real kind of gamish kite that

German call it a fellow feeling that

happens when we come together to blame a

third party that's the scapegoating

mechanism now on the grandest and most

nefarious scale look to Hitler who at a

time when Germany was marked by all

kinds of interior

tensions effectively exploited the

scapegoating mechanism to say well who's

responsible for our economic struggles

our cultural struggles our political or

military struggles it's the Jews the

Jews who stab Us in the back the Jews

who undermined us during World War I Etc

and so what did he do is he created an

extraordinary fellow feeling among his

fellow Germans by exploiting precisely

the scapegoating mechanism now one more

step precisely because it has this

effect of bringing us together and

seemingly solving the problem the

scapegoating mechanism in our literature

and mythology tends to be sacralized we

tend to say it's a good thing

and God or the gods smile upon it do you

want to see this on Vivid literary

display go get Shirley Jackson's

Masterpiece short story The Lottery that

we all read in high school I won't go

into details but go find it or maybe

recall that story there's the gerardi

dynamic on full display scapegoating uh

which has been sacralized by a community

to produce uh

peace press it further now gerar says in

most of the myths of the world across

the cultures across the centuries what

you'll find is precisely the

sacralization of violence sacred

violence sacred scapegoating the gods

smiling upon it okay okay he saw all of

that in the great literary Masters he

saw it repeated culturally and all of it

and

then he read the Bible and the Bible

which you know he had been raised a

Catholic but had kind of Fallen away

from the practice of the faith the Bible

took his breath away now why

because he saw that the Bible knew all

of this the Bible knew all these

Dynamics everything in Doki Shakespeare

and PR of course they they learned it

from their Christian tradition uh it was

in the Bible but the Bible had something

else the Bible had something new because

the Bible

unmasked the identification between the

gods and the scapegoating mechanism it

unmasked the mythology of sacred

violence because in the Christian

telling

God is Not on the side of the

scapegoats god identifies with the

scapegoated victim so Jesus

crucifying is not God sanctioning

violence but God unmasking and revealing

the Dynamics of sacred violence think in

the passion narratives of Caiaphas right

typical religious leader jar would say

who says look wouldn't it be better for

one person to die than for the whole

nation to be destroyed there it is

there's the scapegoating mechanism

typically sanctioned by a high religious

figure the fact that Caiaphas is at

Cross purposes to the god of Israel the

true God that's a revelation right

that's an apocalypse that just means

taking the veil away something's been

pulled away like The Wizard of Oz

pulling the veil and revealing what's

really going on Gerard thinks that's

what happens in Christianity and why it

alone functions as a true

Revelation now here's the thing I find

really interesting when I was coming of

age uh it was very common within eadem

to see Christianity if you took it

seriously at all as one more iteration

of the great monom myth now look at

someone like Joseph Campbell you know

whom I rever in many ways but Campbell

who studies the great myths of the world

you know across the cultures across time

and seees certain fundamental Dynamics

what's Christianity it's one more

telling of the great myth you know the

mono myth the one great myth that's told

over and over again the one song that's

sung in a thousand accents what did

girar show us he showed us that no no

that's getting it backwards Christianity

is not one more iteration of the monom

myth Christianity is the deconstruction

of the monom myth it's an unveiling of

the Dynamics that the myths want to

Veil and in that he shows the uniqueness

and indispensability of

Christianity to a time to a culture that

was becoming very skeptical of that um

of that uniqueness you see now why I

think renear will be seen perhaps one

day as a church father because at a time

when a lot of academics wanted to defang

and domesticate Christianity he

reclaimed it as something uniquely re at

[Music]