What Does Socrates Say About Love?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Socrates states that, “

Love is the conciousness of a need for a good not yet acquired or possessed.”

In other words we want what we do not have, and at times cannot have. Love for Socrates is a superficial occurrence and only based on the things in life that seem to be pleasing to the eye.

What is Socrates definition of love?

Having been convinced that Love is not beautiful or good, Socrates asks Diotima if that means Love is ugly and bad. …

Love is neither mortal nor immortal

, but is a spirit, which falls somewhere between being a god and being human. Spirits, Diotima explains, serve as intermediaries between gods and humans.

What does Socrates say about the subject of love?

From this, Socrates has Agathon agree that

Love must be love of beauty

, which in turn implies that Love itself must be wholly without beauty. … Socrates goes on to point out that if good things are beautiful, then Love must also be lacking in good things, and cannot himself be good.

What does Plato say about love?



Love is born into every human being

; it calls back the halves of our original nature together; it tries to make one out of two and heal the wound of human nature.

Did Socrates know what love is?

At the very beginning of the history of philosophy we find Socrates saying that

the only thing he really knows is love

. Nevertheless, scholars remain unclear about exactly what knowledge of love Socrates was claiming to possess.

What is the highest form of love according to Socrates?

Another reason that Plato believes

eros

is the highest form of love is that eros is the experience of beauty. Socrates‟ speech explains that love is a means to “know the very essence of beauty” (211c-d). Erotic love is a force that drives us to attain the unattainable.

What are the main points of Diotima’s message to Socrates?

Diotima has Socrates agree that

everyone always wants good things and happiness to be theirs forever

. In that case, everyone would be a lover, but we only call certain people lovers.

How does Aristotle define Love?

Two points are clear from Aristotle’s definition of love. First, it is unequivocally and emphatically altruistic:

one wishes and acts to realize good things for the other’s sake

, in accord with what the other conceives of as good – reciprocally so in the case of friendship.

What does Phaedrus say about Love?

Phaedrus asserts that

both gods and humans regard Love as great and awesome

, for many reasons. In particular, Love is widely considered older than almost all the other gods, and has no parents.

Is Socrates really a lover of wisdom?

“Philosopher” in Greek literally means “

lover of wisdom

” and here, Socrates gives us the model for a true philosopher: he accepts resentment and risks death because his love for wisdom far outweighs any concerns for his own safety or well-being.

What does Plato say about the highest form of love?

In the Symposium, Plato presents

the love of wisdom

as the highest form of love and philosophy as a refinement of our sexual urges that leads us to desire wisdom over sex.

Did Plato say love is a serious mental disease?

Plato said that

‘love is a grave mental disease

‘ and, if you’ve ever been in love you would probably agree with him.

What is most romantic saying?

Here are some of the best love sayings for a budding romance: Nothing truly ever made sense until you came into my life.

I’m much more ‘me’ when I’m with you

. … Despite the fear and uncertainty, I want you to know that I love you, I’m here, and I’m willing to see all of it through as long as you’re by my side.

What is Socrates philosophy?

Philosophy. Socrates believed that

philosophy should achieve practical results for the greater well-being of society

. He attempted to establish an ethical system based on human reason rather than theological doctrine. Socrates pointed out that human choice was motivated by the desire for happiness.

What is happiness according to Socrates?

According to Socrates: –

Happiness flows not from physical or external conditions

, such as bodily pleasures or wealth and power, but from living a life that’s right for your soul, your deepest good. … This is the path to happiness.

Who taught Socrates?

Socrates wrote nothing. All that is known about him has been inferred from accounts by members of his circle—primarily Plato and Xenophon—as well as by

Plato’s student Aristotle

, who acquired his knowledge of Socrates through his teacher.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.