Things hidden since the foundation of the world
by René Girard, Jean-Michel Oughourlian, Guy Lefort · first published 1978
50% recommend50% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Lays out René Girard's theory of mimetic desire and the origins of culture in ritual and violence; readers credit it with a first serious entry into anthropology and call it an accessible summary of his ideas.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
An astonishing work of cultural criticism, this book is widely recognized as a brilliant and devastating challenge to conventional views of literature, anthropology, religion, and psychoanalysis. In its scope and itnerest it can be compared with Freud’s Totem and Taboo, the subtext Girard refutes with polemic daring, vast erudition, and a persuasiveness that leaves the reader compelled to respond, one way or another. This is the single fullest summation of Girard’s ideas to date, the book by which they will stand or fall. In a dialogue with two psychiatrists (Jean-Michel Oughourlian and Guy Le
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His book Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World had a big effect on me and was my first contact with anthropology. I really enjoyed how Girard theorized what made us human in the first place (namely, rituals).
on “René Girard has died” ↗You should start with Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World. It's a great summary of Girard's theory, and it's easy to read.
on “René Girard has died” ↗"Things hidden since the foundation of the world" by Rene Girard. Changed literally everything.
on “Ask HN: What are your greatest books?” ↗By far : Things hidden since the foundation of the world - René Girard https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/337517.Things_Hidden_Sin...
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World - René Girard
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World by René Girard.
on “Ask HN: What are you reading to make sense of the economy?” ↗…dramatically absent in this kind of articles. I'm not sure why. His mimetic theory absolutely revolutionized the field of anthropology, theology, and many more should come. I strongly suggest reading Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World. Changed my life.
on “A New Theory Proposes That Humans Tamed Themselves” ↗…with a focus on the sources on the Christian religion. Start with "I See Satan Fall Like Lightning", a very straightforward, almost romanesque read, and if interested, read "Violence and Religion" and "Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World". A great way to dive into Humanities.
on “Anti-mimetic tactics for living a counter-cultural life” ↗I recently read Rene Girard's "Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World". He postulates the following theory of collective violence in the world. First, people form mimetic desire - they want things before other people also want and have them. Second, this mimetic desire…
on “Ireland jails three top bankers over 2008 banking meltdown” ↗…different politics to Peter Thiel, but I've long been interested in why he thinks what he thinks. I think he's the most honest and interesting billionaire around. The place to go seems to be Girard's Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World, but I'll need to take a holiday on a beach somewhere to have the headspace to get through its ~500 pages.
on “I read a book that blew my mind a little” ↗The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro is a fascinating take on how power and corruption can manifest in modern era. Things Hidden Since The Foundation Of The World by Rene Girard explores through dialogues his theory of mimesis. Barely have made a dent into it and so am not sure if I’d recommend it yet but it’s had polarizing reviews.
on “Ask HN: What book are you reading at the moment and what do you recommend?” ↗…prompted by the very proximity of the discovery that one solemnly proclaims will never take place. In every period, any important discovery will threaten some organization of knowledge.” René Girard, Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World, p. 4
on “Does current AI represent a dead end?” ↗Why would you recommend See Satan Fall Like Lightening over Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World as a starting place?
on “René Girard has died” ↗It seems incredibly on-brand for a guy who puts Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World on par with some of those other works.
on “On the Digestion of Great Books” ↗