tags: #publish links: [[Psychology]], [[Relationships Resources]] created: 2021-11-13 Sat --- # Mimetic theory René Girard This is a broadening of the concept of *mimesis* (a blurred/overloaded term) Mimetic theory is about human desires, and "imitation of other people who endow objects with value". From the [wiki page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimetic_theory): > *Man is the creature who does not know what to desire, and he turns to others in order to make up his mind. We desire what others desire because we imitate their desires.* [[Thick and thin desires]] [[It is not greed that drives the world, but envy]] Mimetic theory also claims this rivalry also leads to scapegoating - societies form a collectively-agreed scapegoat and destroy it :D