Bishop Barron on René Girard

Summary of Key Ideas

The video features Bishop Barron discussing the life and contributions of René Girard, a significant Catholic philosopher who recently passed away. Girard's work revolves around the concepts of desire, conflict, and scapegoating, which he explored through literature and biblical narratives.

Main Concepts:

• Triangular and mimetic desire:
  • Desire is often not straightforward; instead, it is mimetic, meaning we desire what others desire.
  • This creates a triangular dynamic involving the self, the object of desire, and another person.
  • Example: Advertising exploits this principle, as people often desire products because influential figures (like celebrities) desire them.
• Conflict Arising from mimetic desire:
  • mimetic desire can lead to conflict, as individuals or groups compete for the same objects or status.
  • Example: In social settings, when one child desires a toy another child is playing with, it can lead to conflict.
• scapegoating Mechanism:
  • Girard identified a "scapegoating mechanism" where individuals or groups project their struggles onto a third party, blaming them for their issues.
  • This mechanism often leads to temporary solidarity among the group as they unite against the scapegoat.
  • Example: Historical instances, such as Hitler's exploitation of this mechanism to unify Germans against the Jews during economic struggles.
• Sacralization of scapegoating:
  • Societies often sacralize scapegoating, viewing it as a necessary evil or even a divine act.
  • Girard found this dynamic reflected in literature and mythology, where violence and scapegoating are often glorified.
• Biblical Revelation:
  • Girard argued that the Bible reveals the truth about scapegoating and sacred violence.
  • Unlike other myths, the Bible shows that God identifies with the scapegoated victim (e.g., Jesus' crucifixion).
  • This revelation challenges the traditional view of sacred violence and highlights the true nature of God as opposed to the scapegoating mechanism.
• Christianity as Unique:
  • Girard posits that Christianity is not just another iteration of the monomyth (the universal myth) but rather deconstructs it.
  • It unveils the dynamics that other myths seek to conceal, affirming Christianity's unique role in understanding human desire and conflict.

Methodology/Instructions:

• Observe and analyze mimetic desire in everyday situations (e.g., children with toys, advertising).
• Recognize instances of scapegoating in social dynamics and historical contexts.
• Reflect on the biblical narratives and how they reveal the dynamics of scapegoating and violence.

Speakers/Sources Featured:

• Bishop Barron (primary speaker discussing René Girard)