The philosophical Initiation in Plato’s Phaedrus Cover Image

The philosophical Initiation in Plato’s Phaedrus
The philosophical Initiation in Plato’s Phaedrus

Author(s): Kazimierz Pawłowski
Subject(s): Metaphysics, Ancient Philosphy, Existentialism, Hermeneutics
Published by: Новосибирский государственный университет
Keywords: Plato; Socrates; Phaedrus; philosophical initiation; madness of Eros; myth;

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the topic of "initiations" in Plato's Phaedrus. The idea of initiation was characteristic of Greek mysteries, especially the Eleusinian and Orphic mysteries, which played a large role in the formation of Greek philosophy. The essence of initiations was the experience of divinity. The motive of initiations in Plato's Phaedrus seems to have a similar meaning. This is also suggested by the allegory of human souls as chariots and the mystical “epopteia” motif woven into it, suggesting Eleusinian analogies.

  • Issue Year: XIV/2020
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 419-430
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English