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René Girard and his critics : The theological compatibility and framework of his early mimetic theory
Hodge, Joel
Hodge, Joel
Author
Abstract
Theologians such as Sarah Coakley have recently argued that René Girard’s mimetic theory is incompatible with fundamental Catholic doctrines. Particular criticism is made of Girard’s early and foundational work on human desire and the formation of culture. In this essay, I address these major criticisms by systematically engaging Girard’s understandings of desire and culture from the earliest stages of his work. In doing this, I demonstrate the compatibility of his work with key Catholic doctrines and the way that Catholic theology provides an appropriate theological framework for Girard’s ideas, including from the earliest stages of his work.
Keywords
Sarah Coakley, culture, the Fall, freedom, René Girard, human nature, mimetic desire, mimetic theory, theological anthropology, violence
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Theological Studies
Book
Volume
82
Issue
2
Page Range
259-284
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Theology
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
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Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
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Controlled