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N.1/2025 Confini in discussione.  L’essere umano di fronte alle sfide contemporanee

A 12,000-Years-Old Sacrifice.The Human/Non-Human Divide at the Core of Social Institutions

Michele Vadilonga Gattermayer

Published in June, 2025

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A 12,000-Years-Old Sacrifice. The Human/non-Human Divide at the Core of Social Institutions

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Abstract

In this paper I will defend the idea that the sharp and clear boundary between humans and non-humans, on which Western cultural and social forms are built on, has its historical origins in the practice of ritual sacrifices. Analysing René Girard’s theory of sacrifice and integrating it with Mormino’s insights on the role of

non-human animals, and Morton’s concept of agrilogistics, the close link between the divide and the Agricultural Revolution will be brought to the forefront. I will argue that the division of social space between humans and non-humans has sacrificial and violent origins and emerged as an efficient and functional solution to human problems, such as interspecific spirals of self-destructing violence, environmental changes, and uncertainty for the future.

Keywords

Animal Sacrifice, Non-Humans, Girard, Agrilogistics, Violence.

DOI

10.53129/gcsi_01-2025-06

G.C.S.I. - Giornale Critico di Storia delle Idee
Rivista internazionale di filosofia

Direzione Editoriale:
Andrea Tagliapietra e Sebastiano Ghisu

Direttore Responsabile:
Giovanni Campus

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Autorizzazione del Tribunale di Sassari n.455 del 14/7/2008 - ISSN 2035-732X  ISSN(cartaceo) 2240-7995

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