Violence and the Sacred (book)

*Violence and the Sacred* by René Girard explores how human culture, religion, and society are shaped by mechanisms of violence and how they seek to contain or Channel it. Girard introduces the idea that mimetic desire—imitating others’ desires—can lead to conflict and collective violence. Sacred rituals and religious sacrifices serve as ways to suppress this violence collectively, often through symbolic acts that redirect aggression away from individuals and toward a common enemy or scapegoat. The book offers insights into the origins of violence in human societies and how religion has historically managed it.