René Girard
Historian and philosopher of culture
Born
December 25th, 1923
101 years ago
Died
November 4th, 2015
9 years ago — 91 years old
Category
Thinkers & Philosophers
Country
United States
Links & References
Born in France, a historian and philosopher focused on the dynamics of human behavior, culture, and violence. Developed the concept of mimetic desire, exploring how imitation drives conflict and culture. This idea fundamentally influenced literary criticism, anthropology, and religious studies. Became a professor at Johns Hopkins University and later at Stanford University. Wrote several influential works, including 'Deceit, Desire, and the Novel' and 'Violence and the Sacred'. Emphasized the role of scapegoating in societal conflict and the relationship between violence and culture.
Developed the theory of mimetic desire
Authored 'Violence and the Sacred'
Influenced literary and cultural criticism
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