mimetic desire

This week I learnt a new term: mimetic desire.

I am familiar with mimesis as the act of ‘copying’. Yet, in the context of desire, I was unfamiliar. Rene Girard, the founder of mimetic theory, spent his life asking questions about ‘how humans want’ and around 1959 coined the term ‘mimetic desire’.
Simply put, mimetic desire is desire based on what others desire.

So, what is desire? According to the Collins dictionary, to desire is “to wish or long for”. A desire is a want. When we desire something, we are also perceiving a lack of something. What we desire is not inherent, like the drive for food, water or safety. Our desires are constructed. The usual influences are at play: socioeconomic situation, environment, childhood, peers, primary caregivers etc and in recent times, social media. 

Whether it’s professional goals, personal successes or what I look for in a partner - these are all deeply connected to what I desire. As desire is not an objective, immovable fact, rather a constructed and influential creature, it seems essential I consider who my influences are and what I choose to consume.

This raises my primary concern regarding mimetic desire: Where do my desires come from?

The aim is not to free myself from desire, rather to be able to see it. As humans, we will always look to others to be validated in our choices, but to live our own authentic lives, is tricky. Though, if I chase mimetic desires I will be unable to experience fulfilment and will lose precious time and resources.

To desire is to be human, and when our desires are our own and we are able stay in the pleasure of obtaining them, we will not be trying to satisfy an unquenchable thirst.