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  • Sacrifice (Breakthroughs in Mimetic Theory)

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

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Sacrifice (Breakthroughs in Mimetic Theory)

By: Rene Girard
Narrated by: Tim Lundeen
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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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Judeo-Christian solution to sacrifice rituals

Compelling explication of the long history of sacrifice in Vedic and Greek traditions and how the Judeo-Christian stories and history bring a resolution to this primal societal impulse to find a scapegoat and practice ritual sacrifice to maintain the social order.

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I love this book!!!

It's my second best of Girard,straight after Scapegoat. I'll be beyond happy when more of Girard books appear on Audible!!! Fascinating!!!

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Great Content, really bad reading

This book is a classic but after listening to half of it I decided I preferred to read it myself as the monotone reader was so difficult to listen to

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