“All desire is a desire for being.”
- René Girard
The Darwin of the Human Sciences
René Girard (1923–2015) was a French philosopher, historian, and literary critic renowned for his groundbreaking theories on human behavior, culture, and religion. He is best known for developing the concept of "mimetic desire," which suggests that human desires are imitative, and we often desire what others desire. This theory led to his exploration of violence and scapegoating in society, culminating in his influential work on the "scapegoat mechanism," where communities project their internal conflicts onto a sacrificial victim to restore social order.
Girard's interdisciplinary approach bridged literature, anthropology, and theology, making significant contributions to the understanding of myth and ritual in human societies. His major works include Violence and the Sacred (1972) and Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World (1978), where he delves into the role of violence in human culture and the Christian narrative as a revelation of this mechanism.
As a professor at Stanford University, Girard's ideas sparked intense debate and inspired numerous scholars across various fields. His work continues to influence contemporary thought on desire, violence, and the foundational structures of society.
