Discussion: Violence and the Sacred

Author: René Girard

Description: In "Violence and the Sacred," Girard explores the relationship between violence and the sacred in human societies. He argues that social order often arises from the scapegoat mechanism, where a community projects its collective violence onto a singular victim, thereby restoring peace. This theory posits that human societies have historically relied on violence, particularly ritual sacrifice, to maintain order and resolve internal conflicts. Girard examines myths, religious practices, and cultural structures, asserting that violence is an inherent part of the social fabric and that the sacred serves as a tool to manage it.

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