The Concept of Mimesis and the Social Media Platforms

The inspiration for this article originated from a straightforward video on Instagram. The video was direct: a scene from a well-known film, 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'. The scene depicts the protagonist restraining a helicopter with his outstretched hand, accompanied by the caption: ''The moment that inspired an entire generation to go to the gym.'' At first glance, it appears to be merely another video of social media; however the individual who uploaded it likely was unaware that they had inadvertently provided the very definition of what Ancient Greeks refereed to as 'mimesis'.

In this article, we will examine this concept, which was the foundation of Ancient Greek art, and the conflict between the views held by the two most famous Ancient Greek philosophers.

Image generated by Gemini of Google.

This article is intended purely for entertainment purposes and does not constitute a formal academic study. 

Mimesis: Definition

Mimesis was a fundamental concept closely linked to Ancient Greek theatre. But it was not limited to that alone. It is the force that urges someone to imitate something, like the craftsman who is inspired by a design found in nature to create his work. In theatre, it is the power that compels us to feel the same emotions as the main character we are watching-to feel compassion for their sufferings or pain for their struggles. Through the works of Plato and Aristotle, it acquired immense philosophical significance.

Mimesis for Plato

To delve deeper into Plato's view of mimesis and the scepticism he held toward it, we must first understand his view of the world in general. For the philosopher, this world we experience with our senses is nothing but a copy of a perfect world-the world of Ideas or Forms. For him, then, mimesis copies something that is already an imperfect copy, something that in turn prevents man from having a vision of the perfect world, the truth. By moving away from the truth, man finds himself addicted to an idol of reality.

In theatre specifically, he believed that as we watch the hero's story and are influenced by his passions and struggles, we are contaminated by them instead of harnessing them. In other words, instead of being liberated from pain and anger, mimesis makes us more vulnerable to them. 

Mimesis for Aristotle

Aristotle's view was positive and is primarily found in his work titled Poetic, which even today serves as a significant foundation for the art of screenwriting. He argued that mimesis is a way of learning and is innate in everyone from childhood. Especially in theatre, he considered it an important medium through which what they called 'catharsis'-the release of emotions-is achieved.

He regarded imitation as a safe laboratory. When watching a hero suffer (e.g. Oedipus, Orestes, Ajax), we do not feel the pain we would experience if it were happening to us. In reality, this distance allows us to process difficult emotions without being destroyed by them. In his work, he writes: 'The spectator feels deep sorrow and compassion for the hero because he suffers without being an evil person.' We feel these emotions because the hero does not deserve that fate, being a simple man like us, with weaknesses. We also feel terror, as we realise that the same could happen to us.

Catharsis is not merely a release but also a purification; the spectator leaves after the performance having washed their soul clean of these emotions. Through this process comes knowledge; as he says, 'Imitation offers us joy because through it, we learn.' by witnessing the hero's suffering, the spectator understands deeper truths about human nature, fate, justice, and the limits of human will. 

Mimesis and Social Media

By understanding the principles governing mimesis and its purpose, as well as the views of these two great philosophers, it becomes clear that social media platforms are a ground where both perspectives clash and coexist simultaneously for different types of people. It is easy to see that Plato's fears are being confirmed, but it is equally easy to see that these platforms can very well be used in the way Aristotle believed helps our evolution.

Starting with Plato's teaching, we see that these platforms indeed affect the vast majority of people in a negative way. This aligns with his view that people cling to something that is not real. When an individual makes their entire life visible on social networks and when this life appears ideal to those watching, the viewer is led astray, forgetting that this is only a single moment of someone's life. Through mimesis in this case, if the observation persists, envy will soon arise; anger and disappointment will follow if all efforts to achieve such an 'ideal' life fail. Yet, this life is ideal only in the mind, because in reality, what we are witnessing is nothing more than an illusion.

Plato feared imitation because it stimulates our lower emotions. Social media platforms are designed to trigger immediate emotions like those mentioned above. It is no secret, after all, that algorithms, in order to promote a post, primarily examine how many people will react, first through comments and then through likes. In this way, a person becomes prey to their passions. The imitation of flawed role models poisons one's inner peace.

However, Aristotle's philosophy is not sidelined. Beyond the risks, if one uses social media platforms to acquire true knowledge-such as imitating skills, learning a new art, or finding inspiration for creation-then imitation remains a tool of learning. We conclude, therefore, that the problem is not imitation as an act, but rather the role model we choose to imitate. 

Author: Theocharis George Paterakis

Sources: 

              Wikipedia contributors. (2025, December 18). Mimesis. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimesis

               Mimesis. (n.d.). Grokipedia. https://grokipedia.com/page/Mimesis

               Sörbom, G. (n.d.). Chapter 1: The Classical concept of Mimesis. https://www.blackwellpublishing.com/pdf/smithwilde1.pdf

               Plato. (2021). Plato’s Theory of Mimesis [Book]. https://haaconline.org.in/attendence/classnotes/files/1586606530.pdf

               Aristotle on Mimesis - New Learning online. (n.d.). https://newlearningonline.com/new-learning/chapter-8/mimesis-the-modern-past/aristotle-on-mimesis

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