According to French thinker René Girard, human beings copy each other's desires and are in perpetual conflict with one another over the objects of our desire. In early human communities, this conflict created a permanent threat of violence and forced our ancestors to find a way to unify themselves. They chose a victim, a scapegoat against whom the community could unite. Biblical religion, according to Girard, has attempted to overcome this historic plight. From the unjust murder of Abel by his brother Cain to the crucifixion of Christ, the Bible reveals the innocence of the victim. It is on this revelation that modern society unquietly rests.

Girard's ideas influenced social scientists over his long career as a writer and teacher, until his death in the fall of 2015. In this classic 'Ideas' series from 2001, David Cayley explores the thought of René Girard.

0:00:00 Part I - Girard's career and discovery of the nature and power of mimesis
0:51:25 Part II - The breakdown of ancient sacrifice and the revelation of the Hebrews
1:43:22 Part III - Jesus - God incarnate - as revelatory Scapegoat
2:34:16 Part IV - Mimetic Theory on the impact of the innocent, scapegoated God-man
3:25:46 Part V - The inversion of scapegoating in a world saturated by the Christian revelation

David Cayley has also graciously hosted the transcript of this episode, here: https://www.davidcayley.com/s/Scapego...