Mimetic Theory and Its Shadow: Girard, Milbank, and Ontological Violence (Studies in Violence, Mimesis & Culture)

Leading Girardian theologian Scott Cowdell seeks to resolve a long-standing challenge to mimetic theory: that it entails a fundamental brutishness. 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. 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 controversial theologian John Milbank champions. Leading Girardian theologian Scott Cowdell seeks to resolve a long-standing challenge to mimetic that it entails a fundamental brutishnessan ontological violence. Girards account of scapegoating violence, seen as providing the initial stability for our species to emerge and consolidate, hardly seems compatible with Christian belief in Gods 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 Milbanks program, along with Girards 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 Milbanks arguments while pressing on growth points in Girards. Cowdells 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 Girards vision of human transformation through faith in Christ reveals a different world beyond ontological violence while preserving the divine participation that Milbank champions. 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 "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"-- Provided by publisher