I could not help but think about my MA-IS program listening to CBC's Ideas podcast on #ReneGirard- and how he was ignored by philosophers and academics ignored him. His willingness to forge ahead with his own way of telling a story from outside of one particular discipline was brave and ground-breaking. 

Girard's theory—a long thought played out over decades—suggests that mimesis is the basis of all human conflict, and that the resolution of conflict through the public sacrifice of a scapegoat was the very foundation of archaic religions and civilizations.

What is worthy in learning more about Rene Girard is his approach. You need not agree with everything he says, only listen to how he approaches his subjects apart from other (acceptable, entrenched, disciplinary) theories. And, the concept that disciplinary theory is only attention-seeking behavior was very interesting. 

 "Theories are expendable," Girard says. "They should be criticized. When people tell me my work is too systematic, I say, 'I make it as systematic as possible for youto be able to prove it wrong.'"

I would encourage people of all disciplines to listen to this CBC Podcast. It was excellent.

Steve Green