Mimetic Theory and Islam

Exploring the Mimetic Theory and Islamic Thought

This volume explores the Mimetic Theory of the cultural theorist René Girard and its applicability to Islamic thought and tradition. Authors critically examine Girard's assertion about the connection between group formation, religion, and scapegoating violence. These insights, Girard maintained, have their source in biblical revelation.

Are there parallels in other faith traditions, especially Islam? To this end, Muslim scholars and scholars of Mimetic Theory have examined the hypothesis of an Abrahamic Revolution. This is the claim that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each share in a spiritual and ethical historical breakthrough: a move away from scapegoating violence, and towards a sense of justice for the innocent victim.