50% Off The Criterion Collection Shop Now
Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence
Leading Girardian theologian Scott Cowdell seeks to resolve a long-standing challenge to mimetic theory: that it entails a fundamental brutishness—an ontological violence. Girard’s account of scapegoating violence, seen as providing the initial stability for our species to emerge and consolidate, hardly seems compatible with Christian belief in God’s good creation, with violence only appearing after a subsequent Fall. The brilliant but controversial theologian John Milbank has long raised this concern about Girard, grounded in a remarkably sophisticated (though seldom fathomed) philosophical theology. Unpacking Milbank’s program, along with Girard’s recasting of Continental philosophy in light of mimetic theory, Cowdell finds a way between two apparently irreconcilable positions. With irenic spirit but analytic tenacity, he probes for ways through Milbank’s arguments while pressing on growth points in Girard’s. Cowdell’s proposals involve reframing divine creation in light of salvation history, reimagining divine participation by thinking Christ and evolution together, and developing a semiotic approach to mimetic theory that delivers ontological peace hermeneutically. Cowdell shows how Girard’s vision of human transformation through faith in Christ reveals a different world beyond ontological violence while preserving the divine participation that Milbank champions.
"1143199820"
Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence
Leading Girardian theologian Scott Cowdell seeks to resolve a long-standing challenge to mimetic theory: that it entails a fundamental brutishness—an ontological violence. Girard’s account of scapegoating violence, seen as providing the initial stability for our species to emerge and consolidate, hardly seems compatible with Christian belief in God’s good creation, with violence only appearing after a subsequent Fall. The brilliant but controversial theologian John Milbank has long raised this concern about Girard, grounded in a remarkably sophisticated (though seldom fathomed) philosophical theology. Unpacking Milbank’s program, along with Girard’s recasting of Continental philosophy in light of mimetic theory, Cowdell finds a way between two apparently irreconcilable positions. With irenic spirit but analytic tenacity, he probes for ways through Milbank’s arguments while pressing on growth points in Girard’s. Cowdell’s proposals involve reframing divine creation in light of salvation history, reimagining divine participation by thinking Christ and evolution together, and developing a semiotic approach to mimetic theory that delivers ontological peace hermeneutically. Cowdell shows how Girard’s vision of human transformation through faith in Christ reveals a different world beyond ontological violence while preserving the divine participation that Milbank champions.
33.99 In Stock
Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence

Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence

by Scott Cowdell
Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence
Add to Wishlist
Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence

Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence

by Scott Cowdell

Overview

Leading Girardian theologian Scott Cowdell seeks to resolve a long-standing challenge to mimetic theory: that it entails a fundamental brutishness—an ontological violence. Girard’s account of scapegoating violence, seen as providing the initial stability for our species to emerge and consolidate, hardly seems compatible with Christian belief in God’s good creation, with violence only appearing after a subsequent Fall. The brilliant but controversial theologian John Milbank has long raised this concern about Girard, grounded in a remarkably sophisticated (though seldom fathomed) philosophical theology. Unpacking Milbank’s program, along with Girard’s recasting of Continental philosophy in light of mimetic theory, Cowdell finds a way between two apparently irreconcilable positions. With irenic spirit but analytic tenacity, he probes for ways through Milbank’s arguments while pressing on growth points in Girard’s. Cowdell’s proposals involve reframing divine creation in light of salvation history, reimagining divine participation by thinking Christ and evolution together, and developing a semiotic approach to mimetic theory that delivers ontological peace hermeneutically. Cowdell shows how Girard’s vision of human transformation through faith in Christ reveals a different world beyond ontological violence while preserving the divine participation that Milbank champions.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781628955057
Publisher: Michigan State University Press
Publication date: 08/01/2023
Series: Studies in Violence, Mimesis & Culture
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 208
File size: 1 MB

About the Author

Scott Cowdell is research professor in theology at Charles Sturt University in Canberra, Australia; canon theologian of the Canberra and Goulburn Anglican Diocese; and the author of ten books. He is on the editorial board of Contagion; co-edits the Bloomsbury Academic series Violence, Desire, and the Sacred; and is founding president of the Australian Girard Seminar.

Table of Contents

Contents Acknowledgments Preface Chapter 1. John Milbank and René Girard in Dispute Part 1. Positions Chapter 2. Girard on Dialectics, Mimetic Rivalry, and Violence Chapter 3. Girard on Nietzsche, Heidegger, Derrida, and Vattimo Chapter 4. Milbank on Divine Participation and Ontological Peace Part 2. Proposals Chapter 5. Resituating Ontological Peace: Creation and Salvation History Chapter 6. Reclaiming Divine Participation: Christ and Evolution Chapter 7. Vertiginous At-Homeness: Beyond Ontological Violence Notes Bibliography Index
From the B&N Reads Blog
Page 1 of

Customer Reviews