The Cosmos and Violence – an Analysis of the Relationship between the Cosmic Order and Sacrificial Rites from the Perspective of René Girard’s Theory

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the idea of the cosmic order and sacrificial rites associated with ritual violence, which can be found in many different mythologies and religions. The whole analysis is based on René Girard’s theory of primordial force as a fundamental factor that cultivates culture. 

According to the consideration, the concentration of rapidly exploding violence (caused by natural disasters or social conflicts) on a victim not only re-establishes an order between agents (through concentration of aggression on one point), but also leads to an idea of universal harmony, which can be disturbed by “evil” deeds and restored through the repetition of sacrifice.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the idea of the cosmic order and sacrificial rites associated with ritual violence, which can be found in many different mythologies and religions. The whole analysis is based on René Girard’s theory of primordial force as a fundamental factor that cultivates culture. 

According to the consideration, the concentration of rapidly exploding violence (caused by natural disasters or social conflicts) on a victim not only re-establishes an order between agents (through concentration of aggression on one point), but also leads to an idea of universal harmony, which can be disturbed by “evil” deeds and restored through the repetition of sacrifice.