René Girard's Mimetic Theory

Why it’s on the list: Wolfgang Palaver’s systematic introduction to Girard — mimetic desire, the scapegoat mechanism and the biblical reading — the standard way in for someone who wants the whole theory rather than one book of it.

Where I heard about it

• @SpencrGreenberg’s thread — named in the replies to his question “What non-fiction book taught you the most about how the world really works?”, June 2025. Full set of replies: A question for you — What non-fiction… (tweet).

Connections

• René Girard — The subject.
• Mimetic Theory — The theory the book systematises.
• Religion — Girard’s destination.
• Culture — What the scapegoat mechanism is an account of.
• A question for you — What non-fiction… (tweet) — the thread this recommendation came from.