Aleksa's Book Review: Violent Origins

With the first half of the book being a treatise by Gerard on various anthropological themes found in multiple societies the world over and their deeper meaning, and the second half being a whirlwind of letters and ripostes circulating between the authors, this is definitely a difficult but rewarding read.

The first segments explain the difference between myth, ritual and prohibition as well as what causes all three to spontaneously arise in all hitherto studied human societies. Also present is a notable examination of sacrifice as part of these.

Understanding the concept of sacrifice from a Girardian perspective lends new insights on social dynamics in personal and meta spaces for sure, and I think that anybody would do well to read the book. It's capably written, and wrestles with some of the most complex matters I've ever studied with remarkable clarity.

The arguments contained in the book ought not be accepted or denied outright as the author himself explains - it is supposed to be a process of gradual improvement in societal functioning based on institutions and arguments. Or else we end up like the headhunting Austronesian people that the end of the book focuses on.
9/10