When Rene Girard speaks about the profound self as a universal self, he suggests that our innermost selves are fundamentally connected to others and share common human traits. This means that despite individual differences, people have shared desires, fears, and aspirations that link us all together.
Exploring beyond its surface, this statement invites reflection on how deeply interconnected humans truly are at their core. It challenges the notion of isolation or unique separation of individuals by emphasizing a collective experience rooted in common human psychology and social dynamics. Girard’s idea encourages us to view our identities not solely as isolated entities but as part of an interwoven tapestry where mutual influences shape who we are.
Rene Girard, a renowned French literary theorist and anthropologist, is known for his contributions to understanding human behavior through mimetic theory. He proposed that desires and conflicts among people stem from imitation rather than inherent differences, suggesting that our profound selves are not isolated but inherently linked in complex ways. His work has been influential across various disciplines, including literature, anthropology, and sociology, offering unique insights into the nature of society and individual identity.
