📹 Sacrifice, Explained

Explaining ancient human sacrifices and prohibitions.

Essay Abstract:

This essay explores ancient human sacrifices and prohibitions through the lens of Plato's theory of mimesis and René Girard's mimetic theory. It delves into the concepts of imitation, conflict arising from acquisitive desires, and the role of scapegoats in resolving societal tensions, thereby offering insights into the origins of religion, culture, and the continuity of these patterns in modern societal structures.

Video Essay:

Bibliography and Notes

• For discussion of Plato’s mimetic theory, see Rene Girard’s Mimetic Theory by Wolfgang Palaver. Pp 43

• Humanists International. (2009, December). Mary Slessor: The Saviour of Twins Killed in the Name of Belief. https://humanists.international/2009/12/mary-slessorthe-saviour-of-twins-killed-in-the-name-of-belief/

• For detailed discussion of scapegoat mechanism, origin of religion, culture, see Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World by Rene Girard.

• Rene Girard, CBC interview by David Cayley Available on Spotify