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Book SynopsisViolence, Desire and the Sacred presents the most up-to-date inter-disciplinary work being developed with the ground-breaking insights of René Girard's mimetic theory. The collection showcases the work of outstanding scholars in mimetic theory and how they are applying and developing Girard's insights in a variety of fields. Girard's mimetic insight has provided a fruitful way for different disciplines, such as literature, anthropology, theology, religion studies, cultural studies, and philosophy, to engage on common anthropological ground, with a shared understanding of the human person. The aim of this edited collection is to present this interdisciplinary work and to illustrate how Girard's insights provide fertile ground for bringing together disparate disciplines in a shared purpose. As academic work on Girard's insights is growing, this collection would meet the need to show the critical, interdisciplinary applications of these insights.Trade ReviewThis very impressive volume shows how mimetic theory has broken free of its transatlantic origins, inspiring first-rate scholarship from around the world, most notably Australia. The interdisplinary richness of the theory remains intact: established scholars and new voices provide the customary insightful readings of theological and literary texts, alongside new trajectories, in history and in neuroscience. Violence, Desire and the Sacred is an indispensible survey of the state of play with regard to the latest wave of Girardian studies. -- Dr Michael Kirwan SJ, Head of Theology, Heythrop College, University of LondonA fascinating contribution to the growing intellectual excitement about a major insight into the causes and possible cures for the violence that threatens us from within and without. René Girard's mimetic theory brings together not just philosophers, theologians, and literary people, but also theoreticians and practitioners from practically all the social and natural sciences to talk about and work toward lessening the internal and external violence that threatens our human existence. Remarkable that such a rich conversation could come from just one country! -- Robert J. Daly, S.J., Professor Emeritus of Theology, Boston CollegeThis superbly-edited collection addresses the key issues in mimetic theory for this century, all of which require the interdisciplinary approach followed here. Readers who have been following the resurgent interest in René Girard's work will recognize the names of James Alison, Wolfgang Palaver, Jeremiah Alberg and Chris Fleming. To the centers already known at Stanford, Paris and Innsbruck, which generate scholarship and attract fellow researchers as students and colleagues, we must now add The Australian Girard Seminar. -- William A. Johnsen, Editor, Contagion. Journal of Violence, Mimesis, and CultureTable of ContentsForeword Ann Astell Contributors Introduction Scott Cowdell, Joel Hodge and Chris Fleming Part I: Finding Our Bearings 1. René Girard, Modernity, and Apocalypse Scott Cowdell Part II: Biblical Studies 2. "Like Being Dragged Through a Bush Backwards": Hints of the Shape of Conversion's Adventure James Alison 3. Finding the Way: How to Study Scripture with the Help of Scripture and the Desert Fathers Draško Dizdar 4. Sacred Men and Sacred Goats: Mimetic Theory in Levitical and Passion Intertext Debra Anstis Part III: Theology 5. Beyond Locked Doors: The Breath of the Risen One Anthony J. Kelly, CSsR 6. Torture and Faith: The Violent Sacred and Christian Resistance in East Timor Joel Hodge 7. Girard and the Tasks of Theology Kevin Lenehan Part IV: Literary Studies 8. René Girard, Jacques Derrida's The Gift of Death, and Salman Rushdie Vijay Mishra 9. Grace Can Be Violent: Flannery's O'Connor's Novelistic Truth Jeremiah Alberg Part V: History and Political Thought 10. Europe and Enmity: How Christianity Can Contribute to a Positive Identity Wolfgang Palaver 11. Herodian Aspects of the English Reformation Monarchy: Girardian Insights into Unacknowledged Brutality Ivan Head 12. Human Rights: Controlling the Uncontrollable? Peter Stork Part VI: Developments and Critiques 13. Hard Evidence for Girardian Mimetic Theory? Intersubjectivity and Mirror Neurons Scott Cowdell 14. Nietzsche, the Last Atheist Chris Fleming and John O'Carroll 15. Is All Desire Mimetic? Lonergan and Girard on the Nature of Desire and Authenticity Neil Ormerod Glossary of Key Girardian Terms Some Further Reading Index

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