Plato's Theory Of Love Essay

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Justin Moss
Ethics 101
12/05/13
Plato’s Theory of Love

One major influential traditions of love in the Western world is Platonism. Platonism originated with Plato’s original writings on love. Plato influence of love expanded beyond the traditions he originally started through romanticism in the 19th century, courtly love in the middle ages, religious love, and many Freudian ideas and theories are rooted in Plato’s theory of love (Gould 160). The ideas and interests of love in Plato’s eyes are renewing its self in today’s society.
Platonism is often related with platonic love. Platonic love is understood as a non-sexual relationship between heterosexual friends (Gonzalez). But platonic love is far from doing justice to Plato’s theory of love and sex, French scholars found it helpful to distinguish between amour platonicien (love according to Plato) and amour platonique (the concept of non-sexual love)(Gould 161). These two different concepts of love are necessary in determining how relevant Plato’s theory of love is to contemporary problems. The first is related to the heterosexual aspect of the loving relationship as a whole. The second one is related to the non-sexual aspect of a loving relationship, this is unlike Plato’s theory, which includes sex. Although Plato’s theory including sex includes both heterosexual and homosexual relationships his theory about love between two people is primarily a homosexual phenomenon (Russell). Platonism describes in the 5th century Athens in a sociological setting as, “men were married for reproductive ends, yet reserved the term ‘love’ and the passionate activity of sexual love for homosexual relationships” (Gonzallez). But as a way of adapting to modern ways I believe w...

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... love of individuals as a whole person and allows rather for the love of persons best qualities. The important idea of love’s power comes from Socrates’ account of the cause and nature of love’s experience. Socrates describes how each true love selects a loved one “after a manner of the god in whose company he once was” (K.J.). He describes this journey differently than Plato; he describes it as a journey of self-discovery by the lover. This journey is done through the projection onto the loved one of what he conceives as an inner spiritual being from the two lovers. The lovers forge for the bond between themselves. This connection is described as a spiritual task, and a physic activity brought up by mania which falls to the lover, and if lucky to the loved also (K.J.). It is a feeling brought by emotion not just a sexual desire or a desire to better oneself.

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