Ctrl + R

Ask Question

Ctrl + B

Pros and Cons

Ctrl + C

Combine

Shift + Drag

Group Nodes
Read as text

Conversation Timeline

4

A key critique of Girard’s scapegoat mechanism is its overgeneralization of human conflict and social cohesion. While mimetic desire and scapegoating may explain certain historical or cultural phenomena, Girard risks reducing complex social dynamics to a single, universal mechanism. Human societies are shaped by diverse factors—economic, political, ecological—not solely by mimetic rivalry. Additionally, Girard’s theory assumes a uniformity in how societies resolve conflict, ignoring the possibil

2

René Girard’s concept of the scapegoat revolves around the idea of mimetic desire and the resulting social conflicts. When desires converge on the same object, rivalry and violence ensue. To restore order, societies often single out a scapegoat—an individual or group blamed for the chaos. The scapegoat’s expulsion or sacrifice creates a temporary sense of unity and peace. Girard argues this mechanism underpins many cultural and religious rituals, masking the violence inherent in human societies.

1

Girard - Scapegoat