I just finished Rene Girard’s latest.
Lots of good stuff buried among some pretty detailed early 19th century European history that I knew (and still know) almost nothing about.
I get the sense even more strongly with this work than with the last thing I read of his: this is only the beginning. There is a TON of work to be done in developing these ideas, applying them to other fields and communicating them in a graspable way to everyone else. This is top on my list of a book to write, if I can ever get my brain cells properly alligned and my act together.
One other note. I LOVE it when authors show some humility. I swear nobody does this near often enough. It would cause people to take them MORE seriously, not less.
Early on, he makes reference to several chapters of his 1970’s work Things Hidden Since the Foundations of the World (the first book of his that I read) and he admits that he’s completely rethought some parts of it and tossed out some his earlier conclusions. I see writers and theologians change their mind about stuff all the time, but very few who will dare to mention it. Geesh.
In several spots he also refuses to explore a topic because of his own lack of knowledge. Girard is a huge brain, but he is hesitant to discuss Hegel’s philosphophy in much detail for fear of making mistakes. The same goes for Islam. In contrast, pundits on TV seem unfraid to spout off about, well, you freakin’ name it.
I’ll write up some more notes on this later.