Be Not Conformed: Rene Girard at the Nexus of Athens, Jerusalem, and Silicon Valley

René Girard was one of the most influential interdisciplinary thinkers of the 20th century. His mimetic theory―which argues that human desire is fundamentally imitative and that rivalry and conflict arise from this imitation―cuts across philosophy, anthropology, history, literary criticism, theology, and more. To manage the destructive potential of mimetic rivalry, societies resort to violence, often in the form of what he called the scapegoat mechanism. The implications of his theory for today’s world are profound.

This volume brings together essays that place Girard in conversation with other major thinkers, including Dietrich von Hildebrand, Luigi Giussani, and Marshall McLuhan, while exploring his insights on technology, education, and race. Though Girard spent most of his career as a professor at Stanford, his influence extends beyond academia. His thought has shaped Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, who recognized the impact of mimetic dynamics on innovation, competition, and value creation.

Many of the essays in Be Not Conformed originated from the NOVITĀTE Conference at the Catholic University of America held in November 2023 to mark the centennial of Girard’s birth. The book’s subtitle―René Girard at the Nexus of Athens, Jerusalem, and Silicon Valley―reflects his synthesis of classical philosophy, theological depth, and modern technological discourse.

Bishop Robert Barron has called Girard a potential future “father of the Church,” underscoring the lasting significance of his work. This volume offers an exploration of Girard’s legacy, revealing why his ideas remain essential for understanding today’s cultural and intellectual landscape. You will find in the pages of Be Not Conformed a glimpse of the width, breadth, depth, and grandeur of this singular thinker.

Luke Burgis is Founding Director of The Cluny Institute and Assistant Professor of the Practice at the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America, where he helps to lead the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship. He is the author of Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life.