RICHARD KOENIGSBERG REFLECTS ON CAROLYN MARVIN'S THEORY THAT "BLOOD SACRIFICE PRESERVES THE NATION"

Carolyn Marvin concludes (1999) that “Blood sacrifice preserves the nation.” Society, she says, depends on the "death of its own members at the hands of the group." By killing one's own people, a nation comes alive. The purpose of war is not to "kill the enemy," but to sacrifice one's own people.

Carolyn thought she was going to be heralded as a hero for her great book (far, far superior to anything Rene Girard ever wrote). But she didn't understand the depth of resistance to knowing this truth. 

By now, Marvin more or less has "dropped out;" doesn't write or talk too much about her theory. It's sad, but understandable. She has a prestigious academic position and would prefer not to offend the powers that be.

My position (Richard Koenigsberg) is that it's not sufficient to simply "say something" and let the chips fall as they may. The objective--to have an impact--means changing consciousness. "Knowing" must occur in the heart and mind: becoming conscious of the truth.