mimetic desire

Also known as: mimetic theory

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July 23, 2026

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Mimetic desire, a concept developed by philosopher René Girard, suggests that humans desire things not for their inherent value, but because others possess or desire them. This imitative behavior is fundamental to human interaction, influencing relationships and even politics. For example, a child might want a toy simply because their sibling has it. This idea is supported by anthropological analysis and observations of imitative behavior in young mammals and human infants. While imitation is a natural part of development and social learning, it's important to distinguish it from original thought or desire.123

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René Girard
Mimetic desire
The central idea motivating Girard’s varied explorations is what he termed mimetic desire, which he initially developed in his first book, Mensonge romantique et vérité romanesque (1961; Deceit, Desire, and the Novel: Self and Other in Literary Structure). Mimetic (i.e., imitative) desire postulates…
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The central idea motivating Girard’s varied explorations is what he termed mimetic desire, which he initially developed in his first book, Mensonge romantique et vérité romanesque (1961; Deceit, Desire, and the Novel: Self and Other in Literary Structure). Mimetic (i.e., imitative) desire postulates…
Read More