Ehrenreich's "Blood Rites" traces these human group instincts even further back. Humans evolved from a prey species but along the way transformed into predators. This demanded profound psychological changes, which are not fully resolved in people today. The prevalence of predatory entities in primitive religions and the universality of human sacrifice likely stem from this foundation. Scapegoating is likely a remnant of an ancient prey group behaviour where an individual is offered to the predator so that the rest can survive.
Nice! I have not heard of Ehrenreich's book. It's relatively recent (1997) so I'm wondering if she was influence by Walter Burkert theory that traces the origin of ritual sacrifice from the hunt. The explanation sounds solid. Looks like I'll have to read this book!
Highly recommended you check it out. I think it was the most transformative book Ive read in the last year. Links into the theory that humans evolved dance/music/depersonalisation as a collective ritual to drive predators off prey (much like hyenas) during the key transition from prey to predator.
Interesting post, on an issue I've long been tracking as an anthropologist. I'd say the best explanation for the evolution of the West is from Henrich's "The Weirdest People in the World" which marshals multidisciplinary evidence. It doesn't contradict what you write, just specifies it more historically, and with likely causal mechanisms. Because of its methodology, it is weak on the kind of intellectual or theological explanations offered here by Girard, which have merit.
I’ve heard a lot about Heinrich’s study and even used a secondary source referring to it in my first book (on a section about multicultural project management) but I have yet to read it. I’m current doing an MA in Anthropology focusing on the intersection of ritual sacrifice and the figure of the Big Man in Southeast Asia. The encounter with the West and Christianity has made a huge impact as you can imagine. so I’m really curious if you encountered other theories outside of WEIRD that struck you.
Ehrenreich's "Blood Rites" traces these human group instincts even further back. Humans evolved from a prey species but along the way transformed into predators. This demanded profound psychological changes, which are not fully resolved in people today. The prevalence of predatory entities in primitive religions and the universality of human sacrifice likely stem from this foundation. Scapegoating is likely a remnant of an ancient prey group behaviour where an individual is offered to the predator so that the rest can survive.
Nice! I have not heard of Ehrenreich's book. It's relatively recent (1997) so I'm wondering if she was influence by Walter Burkert theory that traces the origin of ritual sacrifice from the hunt. The explanation sounds solid. Looks like I'll have to read this book!
Highly recommended you check it out. I think it was the most transformative book Ive read in the last year. Links into the theory that humans evolved dance/music/depersonalisation as a collective ritual to drive predators off prey (much like hyenas) during the key transition from prey to predator.
So clearly written, because it skips caveats to show a clear undeniable pattern that many of us are taught to file under “taboo”.
Sometimes being low in social intuition (blind to taboo) has its advantages haha
Interesting post, on an issue I've long been tracking as an anthropologist. I'd say the best explanation for the evolution of the West is from Henrich's "The Weirdest People in the World" which marshals multidisciplinary evidence. It doesn't contradict what you write, just specifies it more historically, and with likely causal mechanisms. Because of its methodology, it is weak on the kind of intellectual or theological explanations offered here by Girard, which have merit.
I’ve heard a lot about Heinrich’s study and even used a secondary source referring to it in my first book (on a section about multicultural project management) but I have yet to read it. I’m current doing an MA in Anthropology focusing on the intersection of ritual sacrifice and the figure of the Big Man in Southeast Asia. The encounter with the West and Christianity has made a huge impact as you can imagine. so I’m really curious if you encountered other theories outside of WEIRD that struck you.
"Humanity owns these innovations" ❤️
Great explanation of the connection between David Deutsch and Rene Girard. I agree “the west” is a really bad misnomer.
A rebrand is long overdue!
I enjoyed reading this Kahlil, what a fascinating synthesis of major ideas from two great thinkers
So glad to hear that Jeff! In case you're interested in more, here's another Deutsch x Girard crossover https://www.explorations.ph/p/rene-girards-science-through-david