The Platonic sage in love
The Platonic sage in love
Author(s): John DillonSubject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Studia Humaniora Tartuensia
Keywords: Plato; love; erotic
Summary/Abstract: This article explores the nature of the erotic impulse set forth in Diotima's speech in Plato's Symposium, and in the myth of the Phaedrus, with a view to deciding how far Plato intends it to be a purely selfish process. After all, in the 'ladder of ascent' to the Beautiful Itself in Symp. 210-12, the individual beloved seems to be left behind, and even disdained, and Plato has been criticised for this, by such authorities as Gregory Vlastos. I argue that this cannot really have been Plato's intention, and adduce the later Platonist discussion about the proper form that a philosophic love-affair should take.
Journal: Studia Humaniora Tartuensia
- Issue Year: 2003
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: B.3.1-8
- Page Count: 8
- Language: English