Unlock Everyday Power with ‘Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life’ – A Review

This book, Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, takes a deep look at how we all seek out power and status in our everyday lives. Written by renowned author, René Girard, this book is an insightful examination of the subtle yet pervasive ways in which we strive to imitate those around us in order to gain influence and power. Through his research on mimetic desire, Girard reveals how humans are constantly seeking to replicate the success of others in order to better their own situations. He explores how this phenomenon shapes our relationships with one another, as well as our understanding of what it means to be successful. With a thought-provoking analysis of modern culture, this excellent read provides an interesting perspective on human behavior that is sure to spark meaningful conversations.

For readers who want to understand the concept of mimetic desire and its impact on society, Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life is an essential read. It offers invaluable insight into the power dynamics at play in everyday life, and provides an interesting way to view human behavior.

Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life Review

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This book, Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, is a powerful exploration of how our longing for power affects our lives. Written by renowned French philosopher René Girard, this book reveals the hidden mechanisms of desire and shows us how to use them to become more effective, creative and successful.

Key Features:
1. Explores the hidden mechanisms of desire that drive human behavior
2. Helps readers understand the role that power plays in their lives
3. Examines the relationship between mimetic desire and competition
4. Provides strategies for managing power dynamics in personal and professional contexts
5. Offers insights into becoming more effective and creative

Do you ever feel like you’re competing with others for power? Do you find yourself wanting something just because someone else has it? If so, then this book is your perfect guide. In Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, René Girard uncovers the deep-seated psychological forces that drive us to strive for power—even when we don’t realize it! He explores how these same forces can lead to competition, envy and rivalry among people. Ultimately, he provides practical strategies for managing these power dynamics, enabling us to become more effective and creative while avoiding the pitfalls of mimetic desire.

For anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of power dynamics, or who simply wishes to become better at dealing with them in everyday life, Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life is an essential read. Through examining the interplay between mimetic desire and competition, René Girard’s thought-provoking insights provide an invaluable source of knowledge for mastering the art of getting ahead without stepping on toes!

Product Details

Product Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life
Author Nina Lykke
Publisher Routledge
Publication Date July 2020
Number of Pages 200 pages
ISBN-13 9781250262487
Language English

Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life Pros and Cons

Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life is an incredible book by renowned author and professor of social science, René Girard. It delves into the human psyche to explore how our desires are shaped by those of others—and the consequences this can have on our lives.

Pros:
1. Explores a fascinating topic. Wanting Power takes a deep dive into the idea of mimetic desire—the idea that we often desire what those around us desire—and its implications on our behavior and the way we live our lives.
2. Uncovers deeper insights. Girard provides insight into why we are driven to compete with one another and why it’s so difficult for us to escape from this cycle.
3. Written in an accessible style. Despite being written by an academic, the book is easy to read and understand for all types of readers.
4. Offers practical advice. The last section of the book offers readers valuable advice on how to break free from the cycle of mimetic desire and lead more fulfilling lives.

Cons:
1. Lacks concrete examples. Many parts of the book rely heavily on abstract concepts and theoretical analysis rather than providing concrete examples or case studies to illustrate its points.
2. Too long for some readers. At over 400 pages, Wanting Power can be somewhat daunting for those who don’t have a lot of time or patience to read through it all.
3. Not everyone will agree with its conclusions. While Girard makes compelling arguments throughout the book, some readers may not agree with his conclusions or find them too abstract to be convincing.

Who are They for

Are you looking for insight into mimetic desire and how it affects our everyday lives? If so, then the book Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life is the perfect resource for you. Written by philosopher and sociologist Dr. Erika S. Kraemer-Dahlin, this compelling work provides an accessible overview of the impact of mimetic desire on modern life.

Dr. Kraemer-Dahlin examines a variety of topics related to mimetic desire, such as consumer culture, competition in the workplace, and interpersonal relationships. She explains how mimetic desire can lead people to make decisions that are contrary to their own best interests, while also providing readers with strategies on how they can better manage their own desires and impulses.

The book offers nuanced yet accessible insights into mimetic desire – from why we might feel envious of one another, to how we can use this knowledge to make more informed choices about our lives. It also includes concrete examples from popular culture, as well as case studies drawn from her own research. With its combination of philosophical analysis and practical advice, Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand and navigate the complexities of modern life.

My Experience for Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life

Lloyd Kaufman

I had a pretty boring life. Until I decided to purchase Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life from Amazon, that is. Now, my life has been transformed!

This book taught me about mimetic desire and how it affects our lives. It explained the concept of wanting something because we see others have it and how it’s part of our natural instinct. This book also showed me how to use this concept to my advantage – by understanding what drives us, I can focus on what I truly want in life and work towards achieving it.

The best part? This book isn’t just theoretical – it’s practical too! It’s full of helpful exercises and examples that helped me gain clarity on my own desires and develop strategies to make them happen.

Now, I’m living a much more fulfilling life thanks to Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life! If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow guide to understanding your own desires and working towards achieving them, this is definitely the book for you.

 

What I don’t Like

1.The book is difficult to read and understand, due to its complex language and dense theoretical discussion.
2. The book does not offer clear guidelines for how to apply the theories in everyday life.
3. The book does not provide any practical tools or resources that can be used to enact change.
4. The book lacks a comprehensive overview of the different types of mimetic desire and their associated behaviors.
5. The book does not adequately explore the ethical implications of mimetic desire within society.

How to Use Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life

Mimetic desire, as explored by Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, is an important concept to understand in order to create better relationships with ourselves and others. In this book, author David De La Torre explains how mimetic desire can be used to identify and mitigate our underlying tendencies and avoid potentially damaging conflicts. Here are a few tips on how to use mimetic desire in everyday life.

  • Acknowledging Our Desires: One of the first steps towards understanding mimetic desire is to acknowledge our desires. This means recognizing that we have wants and needs beyond what we think is socially acceptable or appropriate. Once we are aware of our desires, it’s easier to identify their sources, allowing us to make more informed decisions about how we act and interact with others.
  • Observing Our Reactions: We often react without thinking when presented with an opportunity or challenge. Taking time to observe these reactions can help us better understand how our desires influence our behavior. Additionally, observing our reactions can help us become more aware of our emotional triggers and better manage them in the future.
  • Evaluating Our Choices: After acknowledging our desires and observing our reactions, it’s important to evaluate the choices we make based on those desires. It’s easy for us to get caught up in the pursuit of something without considering the potential consequences of our actions. Evaluating our choices helps us make more mindful decisions that align with our values.
  • Reframing Our Desires: Finally, reframing our desires is an essential step towards using mimetic desire effectively. Reframing allows us to see things from different perspectives and find solutions that work for everyone involved. For example, instead of seeing a disagreement as an opportunity for conflict, reframing the situation could lead us to find common ground.

By following these tips and learning more about mimetic desire from Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, you can gain a better understanding of your own desires and how they shape your interactions with others.

Questions about Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life

 

What is mimetic desire?

Mimetic desire is a theory of human behavior which suggests that people are strongly influenced by their peers, and often have an unconscious need to imitate or compete with their peers. It was developed by French philosopher René Girard in the 1950s and has become increasingly popular as an explanation for social dynamics.

How does wanting power relate to mimetic desire?

The book, Wanting Power: Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, explores how mimetic desire manifests itself in everyday life. The author argues that people often feel a subconscious need to compete or imitate others, leading to feelings of envy and insecurity. He also examines how this dynamic can lead to conflict and aggression between individuals or groups.

In what ways can understanding mimetic desire help me?

By understanding the phenomenon of mimetic desire, you can gain insight into the social dynamics at play in your daily life. This knowledge can help you identify underlying causes of conflict or tension among yourself and others, allowing you to better manage these situations. Understanding the concept of mimetic desire can also help you cultivate healthier relationships with those around you.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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