The use and abuse of the scapegoat

This paper discusses Girard’s discovery of the undoing by the biblical tradition of a mechanism on which human culture rests world‑ wide. His literary studies brought him to the analysis of religious tradi‑ tions and to the insight that sacrificial means are used in all human con‑ duct to counterbal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Eggen, Wiel 1942- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2013
In: Studia Gdańskie
Year: 2013, Issue: 32, Pages: 141-153
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Scapegoat / Scapegoat theory
B Girard, René 1923-2015
Further subjects:B Forgiveness
B total war
B Apocalypse
B Mimesis
B Rivalry
B Sacrifice
B scape‑goat‑mystique
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei registrierungspflichtig)
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Summary:This paper discusses Girard’s discovery of the undoing by the biblical tradition of a mechanism on which human culture rests world‑ wide. His literary studies brought him to the analysis of religious tradi‑ tions and to the insight that sacrificial means are used in all human con‑ duct to counterbalance the mimetic dependence by which people fear to lose their autonomy. Their common form is scapegoating, but Christ’s radicalization of the biblical message has exposed and invalidated its efficacy. The article discusses the quandary that emerged from this and the possible answer to the threatening derailment of society.
ISSN:2720-7102
Contains:Enthalten in: Studia Gdańskie