There are provided an organic bistable element, which is simple in structure, can eliminate the need to increase production process steps, and has a low switching voltage, a memory device using the same, and a method for driving the organic bistable element and the memory device. The organic bistable element has a laminate structure comprising an organic thin film interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The organic thin film comprises an organic compound represented by formula (I): ##STR00001##