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  • Sacrifice (Breakthroughs in Mimetic Theory)

  • Written by: Rene Girard
  • Narrated by: Tim Lundeen
  • Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

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Sacrifice (Breakthroughs in Mimetic Theory)

Written by: Rene Girard
Narrated by: Tim Lundeen
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Publisher's Summary

In Sacrifice, Rene Girard interrogates the Brahmanas of Vedic India, exploring coincidences with mimetic theory that are too numerous and striking to be accidental. Even that which appears to be dissimilar fails to contradict mimetic theory, but instead corresponds to the minimum of illusion without which sacrifice becomes impossible.

The Bible reveals collective violence, similar to that which generates sacrifice everywhere, but instead of making victims guilty, the Bible and the Gospels reveal the persecutors of a single victim. Instead of elaborating myths, they tell the truth absolutely contrary to the archaic sense. Once exposed, the single victim mechanism can no longer function as the model for would-be sacrificers.

Recognizing that the Vedic tradition also converges on a revelation that discredits sacrifice, mimetic theory locates within sacrifice itself a paradoxical power of quiet reflection that leads, in the long run, to the eclipse of this institution which is violent but nevertheless fundamental to the development of human culture.

Far from unduly privileging the Western tradition and awarding it a monopoly on the knowledge and repudiation of blood sacrifice, mimetic analysis recognizes comparable, but never truly identical, traits in the Vedic tradition.

In giving attention to the overlooked subject of Vedic sacrifice in Indian religious tradition, this Stanford Emeritus Professor and member of the French Academy deepens understanding of the universal practice of sacrifice." (Midwest Book Review)

©2011 Rene Girard (P)2013 Redwood Audiobooks

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A great short primer on mimetic theory.

This was my first exposure to a deeper dive into what "mimetic theory" is.

As a Bitcoiner, I've often heard people describe the tribalism you see in cryptocurrencies as mimetic theory, but I'm not so sure that's an accurate statement after reading this book.

Sacrifice covers the various religions and how mimetic behaviour shows up through the practice of ritual sacrifice.

Rene Girard walks you from the start to the end of using sacrifice as a method of control using mimetic behaviour ... starting as a way to 'appease the gods' to keep peasants from murdering each other, to ending ritual sacrifice with the spread of Christianity & the story of the ultimate sacrifice of God's son.

The book explores the subject very thoroughly with good logic, through many different periods of history and different religions.

A short book, it's recommended reading if you're interested in learning more about human psyche and mimetic theory.

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