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Mimetic Theory and Islam

"The Wound Where Light Enters"

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Offers mimetic readings of Qu'ranic and Biblical passages

  • Explores mimetic resonances within the wider Islamic Tradition

  • Examines contemporary themes through a Girardian lens

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. The Argument

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. The Wound Where Light Enters: Mimetic Theory and Islam

      • Michael Kirwan, Ahmad Achtar
      Pages 3-27
  3. Christianity and Islam in Resentful Modernity

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 127-127
    2. Prison Violence in France and Mimetic Theory

      • Yaniss Warrach
      Pages 141-148
    3. Muslim Brotherhood, Social Justice and Resentment

      • Wilhelm Guggenberger
      Pages 149-161
  4. Back Matter

    Pages 175-178

About this book

This volume explores the 'Mimetic Theory' of the cultural theorist René Girard and its applicability to Islamic thought and tradition. Authors critically examine Girard's assertion about the connection between group formation, religion, and 'scapegoating' violence. These insights, Girard maintained, have their source in biblical revelation. Are there parallels in other faith traditions, especially Islam? To this end, Muslim scholars and scholars of Mimetic Theory have examined the hypothesis of an 'Abrahamic Revolution.' This is the claim that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each share in a spiritual and ethical historical 'breakthrough:' a move away from scapegoating violence, and towards a sense of justice for the innocent victim.



Editors and Affiliations

  • Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Michael Kirwan

  • School of Advanced Study, University of London, London, UK

    Ahmad Achtar

About the editors

Michael Kirwan is a Jesuit priest who taught theology at Heythrop College (University of London), and is now an associate professor at the Loyola Institute, Trinity College, Dublin. He is the author of Discovering Girard (2004), and Girard and Theology (2009).

Ahmad Achtar taught Islamic Studies at Heythrop College, and is currently a research associate at the School of Advancd Study (University of London).


Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Mimetic Theory and Islam

  • Book Subtitle: "The Wound Where Light Enters"

  • Editors: Michael Kirwan, Ahmad Achtar

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05695-7

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG, part of Springer Nature 2019

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-05694-0Published: 17 May 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-05695-7Published: 07 May 2019

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: X, 178

  • Topics: Islamic Theology, Philosophy of Religion, Social Anthropology

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access