How does this relate to Rene Girard's mimetic desire?
Imitatio Dei seems to be aspirational, while Girardian mimesis seems more descriptive and problematic (creates rivalry/scapegoating). Of course, Imitatio Dei can only be practiced in a social framework, where it's defined by another as desirable... so maybe it just folds back into Girardian mimesis. Or does true Imitatio Dei manage to evade Girardian memesis?
A corollary of Imitatio Dei, where G-d is looked to as the Role Model, might be that, whatever we are doing, we should strive to be a role model while we do it, even if only as a role model for ourselves when there is no external audience.
How does this relate to Rene Girard's mimetic desire?
Imitatio Dei seems to be aspirational, while Girardian mimesis seems more descriptive and problematic (creates rivalry/scapegoating). Of course, Imitatio Dei can only be practiced in a social framework, where it's defined by another as desirable... so maybe it just folds back into Girardian mimesis. Or does true Imitatio Dei manage to evade Girardian memesis?
A corollary of Imitatio Dei, where G-d is looked to as the Role Model, might be that, whatever we are doing, we should strive to be a role model while we do it, even if only as a role model for ourselves when there is no external audience.