Plato-Platonic Love Essay, Research Paper
Platonic love is defined as love conceived by Plato as ascending from passion for the individual to contemplation of the universal and ideal or a close relationship between two persons in which sexual desire is nonexistent or has been suppressed or sublimated. In Symposium, Plato discusses various types of love through the dialogue of his speakers, and it is through this that we are able to go beyond a simple definition and truly understand the nature of Platonic love, its importance in ancient Greece, and its relevance to our lives today.
For Plato, the search for virtue is capable of being attained through platonic love, the love of true Beauty. Only after one has ascended past the basic forms of love, (the love of beautiful bodies, and the love of wisdom) can one love true Beauty and therefore be capable of true virtue. It is easy to understand when at the end of the speech of Diotoma, she says:
When he looks at Beauty in the only way that Beauty can be seen only then will it become possible for him to give birth not to images of virtue (because he s in touch with no images), but to true virtue (because he s in touch with true Beauty).
Thus Platonic love in its purest essence in Symposium is love of this kind, the love of Beauty. This is the kind of love is the epitome of what Platonic love is.
There are other references in Syposium to love that is non-sexual. One such example takes place in the Speech of Pausanias makes a distinct difference between vulgar love and noble love, the love of the body versus the love of the soul. This speech focuses on the fact that loving just the sexual act is a young base type of love, which included both the love of women and lust for young boys. The real love is that of strictly men (older boys) and is love out of virtue, and what is right.
The importance of Platonic love for Plato in his time was the direct tie of the love of Beauty to true virtue. Plato further specifically states that The love of the gods belongs to anyone who has given birth to true virtue and nourished it, and if any human being could become immortal, it would be he. So we are capable of seeing the value that love has on virtue and that virtue has on immortality. This was the understanding of Platonic love in ancient Greece.
Aristotle speaks of platonic love indirectly in The Art of Rhetoric. In chapter 2.4. Plato talks about friendship, and describes its nature, expectations and what it is not. This is probably more indicative of what our modern day idea of Platonic Love is, with the idea that friendship is for another s sake and not for oneself .
Today our definition of Platonic love is quite different, and quite misunderstood. When we hear the word Platonic Love, we naturally think that it applies to a male-female relationship involving no sex and it is written off as just friends . We live in a world that is completely focused on physical beauty, and there are some today that probably never get past that basic form of love. Thus it is difficult for many conceive that two people might have something greater than purely physical love (lust), or that you can achieve anything greater without having a physical aspect. Yet, it is possible. It is possible to love someone, for who they are inside and out, and to love them and accept them, without desiring or needing a physical relationship. That you have so much respect, love and trust in that other person that you don t need anything else than to be around them and have their companionship and support. This to many is not as important a type of love, especially for college students, for it lacks a physical element. Yet in the greater view of life, it is the most important and the most lasting type of love that can exist. Thus it is far greater and more difficult a love than that of the physical playful type.
Другие работы по теме:
Quotes Essay Research Paper Love like you
Quotes Essay, Research Paper Love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like no ones watching The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Midsummer Nights Dream Essay Research Paper Love
Midsummer Nights Dream Essay, Research Paper Love is something that will never be defined. No one knows what love is. When Egeus describes it as being ?feign?, and ?cunning?, he is, for the most
He Has The Heartless Eyes Of One
Who Is Loved Exceedingly Essay, Research Paper I don’t think that someone might ever be loved excessively. Everyone should be loved beyond measure. Love becomes excessive when it isn’t shared; every gesture towards the one who doesn’t love becomes embarrassing. There’s no fault in the fact that you don’t love; and there’s no merit in the fact that you love, as well: the love you have for someone (if it’s real) should be your own reward.
My Love Essay Research Paper You are
My Love Essay, Research Paper You are my everything My one true love My heart will sing If we can stay forever in love When I first laid eyes upon you My jaw dropped
They Know Essay Research Paper Out of
They Know Essay, Research Paper Out of my love for you is conceived only pain However that gives me some pleasure Your face reflects the night of a full moon
Of Love Essay Research Paper Of LoveFeeble
Of Love Essay, Research Paper Of Love Feeble I, sick of life, stranded, in the youth of sins Went down the abyss of sorrow’s sea like a fish with no fins, Deeper into dark, not a thing to see, to the land of no return
Always And Forever Essay Research Paper When
Always And Forever Essay, Research Paper When nothing makes sense and every thought is blurred, Love finds it’s way and somehow I understand. I know why it is and what must be,
Teenage Love Essay Research Paper TEENAGE LOVEIn
Teenage Love Essay, Research Paper TEENAGE LOVE In the following paragraphs below I will be discussing three reasons on why teenage love is very controversial. Adults can misunderstand teenagers when teens say that they are in love. I also think that teenagers can mistake love for physical attraction or, as many people know it as lust.
Love Essay Research Paper I have
Love Essay, Research Paper , I have spent many sleepless nights trying to unraveal the feelings that I hold tward you. What is it that I feel for you? Is it truly love or just a stong fondness? How does a person of such inexperience know if he or she truly loves someone? These are the questions that occupy many of my fellow peers.
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
My Sweet Love 44 Essay Research Paper
you are my husband you are my best friend with you in my life i can do any thing you pick me up when im down you bring me higher everyday dont worry about a thing my love
Who I Am Essay Research Paper Hi
Who I Am Essay, Research Paper Hi there. What?s going on? To answer a few of your questions, I live in Valley Stream in Nassau County. I will travel anywhere to be with the one I love. I am a very sensitive and caring guy. I love to go to the movies, I love to dance and no I do not smoke. Lol. I have perfect teeth and I want to keep it that way.
Love 3 Essay Research Paper It was
Love 3 Essay, Research Paper It was Nicholas Chamfort who once said, once love is purged of vanity, it resembles a feeble convalescent, hardly able to drag itself about. One could not agree with him more. He, like so many other people, has realized that love euphemistically describes the effects of an instinctual drive and depends entirely on physical appearance and opportunity.
Love In Literature Essay Research Paper There
Love In Literature Essay, Research Paper There are many different interpretations and feelings about love being a beautiful thing and love being an ordinary thing depending on ones past. Two
Love Theme Essay Research Paper They say
Love Theme Essay, Research Paper They say to love is a beautiful thing They say to love is work, but is worth it. Alas, they say to love is to be eternally happy. But who exactly is ?they??
My Thoughts On Love Essay Research Paper
My thoughts on Love What is love for? Why does it have to be just a word thrown around like a misguided sin? Why do people fall in love? Is it because they want to be hurt? If people realized that love
Poem How Much You Mean To Me
My Love Essay, Research Paper How much do you mean to me my love? The oceans and heavens could not contain my thoughts for you. If all the writers of the world sat down, they still could not describe your endless beauty.
Love Is Like A Rose Essay Research
Paper LOVE IS LIKE A ROSE Some compare love to all kinds of things. I say, “love is like a rose”. Foremost, a rose symbolizes loveliness, which stems from love. The rose is the most beautiful of all flowers and love is the most precious emotion. A rose commences from a tiny rosebud into an unexplainable beauty, an undiminished rose.
I Love You Essay Research Paper I
I Love You Essay, Research Paper I Love the way you hold me, When I have no one to turn to. I love how you always convince me Your love is so true. I love the way you make me laugh
LoveWhat Is It Essay Research Paper Love
Love:What Is It? Essay, Research Paper Love: What is it? To many people love means many things. To others, to love is to place their happiness in one another. Love can be how they feel about that special someone. I’m not talking about the fatherly love or that motherly love. I’m talking about the love that you feel towards someone.
Alwayz And Forever Essay Research Paper Alwayz
Alwayz And Forever Essay, Research Paper Alwayz and Forever in my heart you will stay. My love for you grows with each passing day. Always and Forever I will remain faithful and true.
Poem The Dove Essay Research Paper The
Poem: The Dove Essay, Research Paper The day i met you, i had no clue, that we could love, upon a dove, but the day our love was set, it was difficult to get, a moment with us together,
Etbh Essay Research Paper When we were
Etbh Essay, Research Paper When we were young,I just knew I would find you.I might not of known you,But I knew what you were feeling.The day we met I knew it was you,The one in my dreams.When I think of you I know my prayers have been answerd.All now that I can hope for is that you will always love me.And when the day comes that we shall part,and leave one another….
Love Poems Essay Research Paper All That
Love Poems Essay, Research Paper All That You Are by Steven Duke Poem No. 41993 Everything that you are, Makes me wonder how it’s true, That I?ve found everything I have,
Poem The Way Love Works Essay Research
Paper Some say it’s simple some say you just know some say it’s hard I don’t think so Love isn’t tricky it’s really quite bold it’s when you see your love and your stomach just folds
MY HERO Essay Research Paper TO ME
MY HERO Essay, Research Paper TO ME A HERO IS A PERSON WHO HELPS A LIFE. NOT NECESSARILY SAVE IT… BUT AFFECT IT IN A SPECIAL WAY. TO ME THIS PERSON IS MY FATHER.
PLATONIC IDEALS OF LOVE Essay Research Paper
SHAKESPEARE’S SONNET 116 AND SONNET 130 BOTH DESCRIBE LOVE IN DIFFERENT WAYS BUT BOTH SHOW THE IDEALS OF PLATONIC LOVE. THE THREE STAGES OF PLATONIC LOVE IS THE LOVE OF BODY, THE LOVE OF MIND AND THE LOVE OF SOUL.
Poem More Than You
’ll Ever Know Essay, Research Paper More Than You’ll Ever Know Words can’t express My feelings for you. I search for the right words, But none that I find will do.
The Meaning Of Love Essay Research Paper
THE MEANING OF LOVE Love is just a four-letter word with so many meanings behind it. In other words the definition for love is endless? So what is love and do we