Essay on Platos Symposium - 692 Words

Though not as philosophical as many of Platos other works, The Symposium gives a greater in depth account and characterization into the social life of the intellectual circles in Ancient Greece. The eulogies from each of the philosophers at the discussion examine the origins and theories of love in its many forms. Several of the theories and themes discussed in The Symposium are repeated as well as contrasted by each of the orators. The themes of physical love and lust, and reproduction are most notably discussed and compared within each speech. The ideas of physical love, or the lusting for body rather than mind, are discussed within the speakers and related to their own physical loves as compared to their intellectual loves.†¦show more content†¦In Agathons eulogy, he praises the actual god that is Love, and speaks of the virtues of Love rather than the natures. Within these virtues is moderation, and he states that love has the biggest share of moderation. It is generally agreed that moderation is the mastery of pleasures and desires, and that no pleasure is stronger than Love...if Love masters pleasures and desires, he must be exceptionally moderate, (30.196c). This continues further on the ideas of the pleasure received purely from physical love are inferior and must be practiced in moderation. Socrates closes on the discussion of physical love and lust in his discussion. He concludes that physical love is not love at all because, desire and love are directed at what you dont have, what isnt there, and what you need, (35.200e). Since one can never be in the possession of love, then love can not be held in the single physical act of lust and pleasure. Each orator discusses the inferiority of the purely physical acts of love and as they continue, each discussion delves further into the inadequacy of love without intellect. As with the aspects of physical love and lust within humans, the ideas of reproduction permeate throughout The Symposium. In Aristophanes address, he discusses the history of love in theShow MoreRelatedEssay Platos Symposium1171 Words   |  5 PagesPlatos Symposium Platos metaphor of the divided line is essentially two worlds; the world of opinion (the physical world or the world of becoming/existence) and the world of knowledge (the world of knowledge or the world of being/essence). This concept is key to the context of The Symposium: Love. It is important to note that as the speeches evolve throughout this particular work they parallel this concept. Plato has, in this writers opinion, reinforced his theory through the speakersRead More Platos Symposium Essay1797 Words   |  8 PagesPlatos Symposium   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is the meaning of love? What does love feel like? How does love come about? No one can truly explain it, yet somehow its understood. 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