Imitation has long been a fundamental subject of discussion amongst philosophers, mystics, jurisprudents, and researchers of education. In spite of a number of philosophical concepts and interpretations, imitation is not merely a mental phenomenon to be limited to theoretical fields. On the contrary, imitation belongs to both discussions of knowledge and behavior as well as approach sciences.
Plato, the forerunner of idealism in philosophy, does not value imitation. Assuming nature to be an imitation of truth, he considers nature to be no more than a mere "shadow". Being a realist philosopher, Aristotle, on the other hand, regards imitation as a reality which is inseparable from the process of education.
Molavi considers inquisition to be the basis of knowledge, education and ethics. He considers imitation to be an inefficient tool -a wooden leg, in his own words, for mystic demeanor. However, Molavi, too, does not discard imitation completely, considering it to be partly essential to attain truth. In metaphorical terms, imitation is the slope of the mountain while truth is its peak. Inquisition would, then, be the distance between the slope and the peak. It is definitely impossible to get to the peak unless one covers the slope. Congelation occurs when one stops at the slope instead of passing it.
This paper attempts to answer two fundamental questions and the peripheral questions that they entail. The fundamental and entailed questions are as follows:
Fundamental question(1): Is there a significant relationship between imitation and pests in the search for knowledge?
Entailed questions:
1. Is there a significant relationship between imitation and greed?
2. Is there a significant relationship between imitation and superficial observation?
Fundamental question(2):
Is the license of imitation confirmed in the thought of Molavi?
Entailed questions:
1. Is there a significant relationship between imitation and self-consciousness?
2. Is there a significant relationship between imitation and the search for truth?