Apocalypse | René Girard's Mimetic Theory

This lecture delves into Girard's theory that humanity is heading toward an unavoidable apocalypse, driven by our growing capacity for violence and our waning ability to control it. He contends that while Christianity aims to foster love and truth, it has unintentionally undermined the traditional methods—like rituals and prohibitions—that once kept violence in check. In our modern world, increased interconnectedness and a focus on equality have intensified mimetic rivalry, leading to a greater risk of scapegoating. Although law and capitalism provide temporary solutions, they fall short without a global governing authority, making large-scale conflicts, including nuclear ones, likely. Girard proposes personal conversion as a potential remedy but recognizes its limitations, ultimately suggesting that withdrawing from society may be the only practical strategy for individual survival in the face of an impending apocalypse.