Many of Girard’s books are written in the form of a conversation with one of his friends or colleges. Indeed, sometimes they are only slightly edited transcripts.<\/p>\n
He mentions this in the introduction.<\/p>\n
Conversation’s blessings include surprises and new connections. Little by little, we came to see that various authors, poets and exceptional people were crucial to our discussion. A whole constellation of writers and thinkers finally merged with our thinking. I consider this a little like the communion of saints.<\/p>\n
-Rene Girard, Battling to the End, p.xvii<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I have not encountered this before. It can be a bit meandering, but pleasantly unpredictable as well. I am accustomed to reading essays that are highly polished, with all the blemishes of the author under wraps. It is fun to find passages like the following.<\/p>\n
Girard’s conversation partner, Benoit Chantre asks about an idea that was just brought up and suggests that a lot may be gained by comparing it to the philosophy of Hegel. Girard replies:<\/p>\n
You are asking me to take to its logical conclusion an intuition that came to me while we were speaking. That would require philosophical knowledge that I lack.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many of Girard’s books are written in the form of a conversation with one of his friends or colleges. Indeed, sometimes they are only slightly edited transcripts. He mentions this in the introduction. Conversation’s blessings include surprises and new connections. Little by little, we came to see that various authors, poets and exceptional people were … <\/p>\n