Portrait of René Girard as a Post-Hegelian: Masters, Slaves, and Monstrous Doubles

Abstract

This paper will analyze the evolution and the key aspects of René Girard's critique of the Hegelian "struggle for recognition" and the master-slave dialectic. Through a discussion of Girard's views on Identity, Difference, Violence, Desire and Negativity, the study will aim to highlight the philosophical uniqueness of the mimetic theory in respect to French Hegelianism and post-Hegelianism.