Mimesis (μίμησις): Meaning, Definition & Modern Application
mih-MAY-sis
The act of imitation or representation, central to Aristotle's theory of art and learning. Beyond mere copying, mimesis describes how humans learn virtue by observing and emulating exemplary models, internalizing excellence through deliberate imitation until it becomes authentic character.
Etymology
From mimeisthai, meaning “to imitate” or “to represent.” Related to “mimic” and “mime.” Plato viewed mimesis with suspicion, arguing that art copies copies and moves us further from truth. Aristotle rehabilitated the concept, arguing that humans are the most imitative creatures and that imitation is how we first learn. In his Poetics, mimesis describes how tragedy represents human action. Applied to ethics, it explains how we develop virtue by emulating exemplary models until their excellence becomes our own.
Modern Application
You become like those you study and surround yourself with—choose your models deliberately. Find leaders whose character you admire and observe not just their actions but the principles behind them. Through conscious emulation of excellence, you transform borrowed wisdom into your own authentic leadership presence.
How to Practice Mimesis
Identify three people whose character and competence you genuinely admire. Study how they operate: not surface behaviors but the principles that guide their decisions. Select one specific quality from each model and practice embodying it this month. Read biographies of people who excelled in areas where you want to grow. When you encounter a challenging situation, ask yourself: how would my model handle this? Initially, this imitation will feel borrowed. Over time, it integrates into your authentic character. The goal is not to become someone else but to absorb proven patterns of excellence until they become your own. Plato viewed mimesis with suspicion, but Aristotle rehabilitated it by arguing that humans are the most imitative creatures and that imitation is how we first learn. Apply this insight by studying not only what your models do but why they do it. When you identify a principle underlying their behavior, test it in your own context. Keep a learning journal where you record specific qualities you are emulating, track your progress, and note when the borrowed behavior begins to feel natural. That transition from conscious imitation to authentic expression is the moment when mimesis has done its work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mimesis in Greek philosophy?
Mimesis is the Greek concept of imitation or representation. Aristotle argued that humans are naturally imitative and that we learn virtue by observing and emulating exemplary models. Through deliberate imitation, borrowed excellence gradually becomes authentic character. While Plato viewed mimesis with suspicion as moving us further from truth, Aristotle rehabilitated it as the fundamental mechanism through which humans learn and develop.
What does mimesis mean?
Mimesis means imitation, representation, or emulation. From mimeisthai (to imitate), it is the root of mimic and mime. In Greek philosophy, it describes both artistic representation and the ethical process of learning virtue through deliberate emulation of worthy models. In Aristotle's Poetics, mimesis also describes how tragedy represents human action, making it central to both aesthetics and ethics.
How do you practice mimesis?
You practice mimesis by identifying people whose character you admire, studying the principles behind their actions, and deliberately emulating specific qualities. Read biographies, observe leaders you respect, and ask how your models would handle the challenges you face. Select one quality from each model and practice embodying it until the imitation becomes authentic expression.
What is the difference between mimesis and paideia?
Mimesis is the specific practice of learning through imitation and emulation of models. Paideia is the comprehensive process of human formation through education, culture, and experience. Mimesis is one powerful method within the broader project of paideia. You can practice mimesis as a targeted technique for developing specific qualities, while paideia encompasses your entire ongoing formation as a human being.
