RENE GIRARD, born on Christmas day in Avignon, France in 1923, is recognized worldwide for his
discovery and development of mimetic theory. He is Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and one of only 40 members, or immortels, of the Académie Française, France's highest intellectual honor. He is the author
of numerous books and papers, including: Deceit, Desire and the Novel; Violence and the Sacred; Things Hidden Since the Foundation
of the World; The Scapegoat; and his latest, controversial Battling to the End.
Mimetic theory has influenced the fields of literature, anthropology,
theology, philosophy, sociology, and psychology. Discussion continues as new
applications are being discovered in fields as diverse as neurology and economics.
Girard's
understanding of mimetic rivalry and conflict, and scapegoating,
is seen by many to be the key to a completely new understanding of Christianity.
A
more detailed biography can be found in the Stanford Magazine
article at:
http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=29620 |