Four Tests of a Scapegoat - Gracearchy with Jim Babka 166

Is every alleged criminal in the dock a scapegoat? How can you tell when someone actually is a scapegoat? In the immediately previous episode (165), Bill asked Jim if Fauci is a scapegoat. Jim said no, but he also sensed that his reasoning was insufficient to answer Bill's pressing question. What are the timeless standards? This episode IS NOT ABOUT ANY ONE PERSON - not limited to the current headline. It's timeless. You'll be able to repeatedly apply it to future social conflicts. Oh, and Bill catches Jim off-guard. Jim learns something new, right in front of you! You'll learn things too, if you tune in.

Primer: Rene Girard explains that religions, nations, and states are founded on sacrifice - the sacred murder of someone who possesses partial or complete innocence. That person is the scapegoat. The grossly oversimplified version (go watch episode 88) goes like this...   

Desire is modeled.

An imitator covets.

Rivalry ensues.

The contagion spreads; an angry mob forms. 

Violence breaks out. There might even be a war.

The scapegoat is blamed for the violence and killed.

Peace returns, so the scapegoat becomes sacred.

Taboos and rituals arise so the community can avoid repeating the war. 

If Girard is right, then this process has profound implications to sociology, theology, and plain old politics. 

SHOW REFERENCES