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Plato's "Symposium", 2008.
An analysis of the nature of Eros in Plato's "Symposium".
1,813 words (approx. 7.3 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 58.95
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Abstract
Plato's "Symposium" is an account of an Athenian drinking party, attended by some of the leading cultural figures of classical Athens, in which the core of the discussion of those in attendance revolves around the nature of Eros or love. This paper explores this discussion, with particular reference to the speech of Socrates on the nature of Eros. The thesis is argued that Socrates' explication of the nature of Eros is reinforced by Alcibiades' speech, which illustrates how Socrates' philosophical position in this regard translates into his real life practices in regards to love and its pursuit.
From the Paper
"Of course, not all of the participants in the discussion agree about the nature of Love, or even follow the same theme. This being said, the speech of Pausanias is particularly interesting for how he discusses contemporary Athenian legal and moral perspectives on homosexual love and, in particular, on the love of older men for young boys. Pausanias' speech is significant as it reveals that there was not a "blanket" acceptance of all homosexual relationships in Athenian society, and that there is only one way in which such a relationship would not be reprehensible: in which the relationship is oriented towards a pursuit of goodness. "
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Plato?s "Symposium", 2002.
A discussion of the intricate structure of Plato?s "Symposium".
1,865 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 59.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews Plato's work "Symposium", a discussion of the philosophical nature of love, which has a complex and elaborate structure, enriched with contradictions of ideas, characters and styles. It examines how the structure of the "Symposium" moves through a series of stages, beginning with the two narrators, who attempt to be like Socrates without attempting to understand philosophy. Then come the presentations of the five would-be philosophers, then Socrates? combination of argument and story-telling, then the sensual demands of Alcibiades and finally a reconciliation of all elements. It evaluates how the intricacy of the structure and the self-conscious manner of a story within a story within a story, serve to distance the reader.
From the Paper
"Aristophanes is the famous comic dramatist; once he gets over his hiccups, he paints a picture of mankind as originally being a grotesque hermaphrodite, as well as a man-man and a woman-woman compound. Because they threatened the gods, they were divided in two, and ever since have attempted to reunite with their severed other halves. In spite of the ridiculous imagery, Aristophanes makes three serious observations: man is perfected only when he is completed, love completes him, and earthly love is only a pale shadow of ideal love.
After this match between the unintentionally comic doctor and the unintentionally serious comedian, there is another comic interlude, the banter between Socrates and Agathon. Then, they continue the debate in the third and most important agon."
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Plato?s ?Symposium?, 2004.
An analysis of the nature of true love in Plato?s ?Symposium?.
918 words (approx. 3.7 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how, in Plato?s dialogue ?The Symposium,? defining the exact nature of love during a drinking party grips the philosophical imagination of Socrates and numerous other revelers at the house of a man named Agathon. It looks at how the drinking party includes many individuals exposing their different ideas about the true nature of love and how only Socrates offers a view of love that encompasses more than simply the relationship between earthly individuals. It shows how, instead, Socrates suggests an individualistic pursuit of love by the soul, where it cleaves to the good in a non-sexual and ?Platonic? form of affection as the ultimate goal of exercising in physical and spiritual love in the world.
From the Paper
"The ?Symposium? proceeds in a dramatic fashion. Its first extended definition of love that is significant to the definitions that follow, begins with a comparison between the love of men and women, asserting finally that the love of men (because it is spiritual rather than purely physical in its inclination). Later, this becomes clarified by very beautiful myth told by one of the participants, of how love is defined as the soul cleaving to the individual that the body was once separated from at the beginning of creation. Rather than a purely physical view of love, this example suggests that love?s physical acts have a strong spiritual component that cannot be ignored."
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Plato's "Symposium", 2006.
An analysis of Plato's philosophical views on love and beauty.
1,660 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 1 source, APA, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Plato's "Symposium." The writer of this paper discusses why Plato's writings are considered to be one of the most distinctive definitions of love and beauty. This paper explores various dialogues from "Symposium" and suggests that the concept of what love and beauty were to the ancient Greeks may be far different from what we understand them to be today.
From the Paper
"The problem for the modern reader of The Symposium is that the entire concept of what "love" and "beauty" are to the Greeks may be far different from what we understand them to be today. We live in a time where physical appearance provides better jobs, better husbands and wives, greater public approval and exposure. Love is ephemeral. It can be fleeting, just as the Greek philosophers in The Symposium point out."
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Sexual Desire of Plato's Symposium - Diotima and Alcibiades, 2002.
Discussion of Plato's "Speech of Diotima" and its theme that sexuality is a path that leads to the appreciation of spiritual beauty.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, $ 53.95
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Abstract
Plato, in the "Speech of Diotima," explains much of human beings' ability to learn to love, as this seems to distinguish them from animals. Socrates is told that a person must devote himself or herself to the love of beautiful bodies and the cultivation of their own. It is then necessary to view the beauty of people's souls as more valuable than the beauty of their bodies, and to then acquire an appreciation of the beauty of various activities and laws and, "with the result that ... the beauty of bodies is a thing of no importance". (58:210c) Sexuality seems to be referred to here, as a basic and early motivator of a greater and greater ability to perceive and appreciate beauty as the ancient Greeks believed was a most important element of the personal development of the superior person.
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Love in Plato's "Symposium", 2001.
An analysis of the characters' appreciation and perceptions of love and beauty.
2,595 words (approx. 10.4 pages), 1 source, $ 78.95
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From the Paper
"At the risk or resorting to clich?s, it is generally accepted that beauty means different things to different people. How did Socrates know that the attendees of the banquet would judge him based primarily on physical appearance? Perhaps he believed similar people with similar beliefs, such as pederasty, share similar views of beauty and love. Socrates is acknowledging the fact that the pederasts judge and value physical beauty above other forms. Apollodorus is not unprepared to tell us this story, if it is what he must do; but why is he prepared to tell it? What have we to learn from this? Each is free to take from The Symposium what they choose, to filter out the verbose eulogies and determine the true nature of eros for ones self. However, Socrates and Diotima?s fascinating interpretation on the evolution of the perception of beauty is arguably the most compelling and revealing concept that should be extracted from this reading."
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Symposium of Plato, 2003.
An analysis of Plato's account in the Symposium.
690 words (approx. 2.8 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 23.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Plato's account in the Symposium of how Diomita explains to Socrates that immortality is achieved by one who gives birth to virtue and wisdom. The process by which love develops from the simplistic to the complex.
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"Symposium" by Plato, 1992.
An examination of his ideas on love and the functions of speakers and speeches in advancing ideas.
2,475 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 1 source, $ 87.95
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From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine Plato's Symposium. The plan of the research will be to discuss these issues in the text: the superiority or inferiority of lover and the beloved; the intention and position of Diotima's speech in answer to positions taken by various speakers; the role of Alcibiades as interloper on the party and participant in the dialogues; the purpose of the speech in praise of Socrates; the understanding of eros that the speeches of all, including those of Socrates and Diotima, demonstrate.
Phaedrus maintains the superiority of the beloved in a love relationship, although his argument is deceptive. When he first advances his basic tribute to the fulfilling nature of Love, Phaedrus extols the benefits of a "worthy lover" (42) for the beloved, noting that the height of emotional and psychological..."
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"Symposium" and "Phaedrus", 2002.
A look at the nature of eros in Plato's works "Symposium" and "Phaedrus".
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Plato's classic philosophical works "Symposium" and "Phaedrus" in terms of analyzing the nature of eros, it's major effects on human life, towards whom it is directed, what it seeks to achieve, and what it says to us today.
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Love in Ancient Greek Society, 2003.
A comparative analysis of the representation of love by Plato and Socrates in "Symposium" and "Phaedrus".
2,070 words (approx. 8.3 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 71.95
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Abstract
This paper compares the different conceptions of love in Ancient Greek society as exhibited by Plato and Socrates in "Symposium" and "Phaedrus". It contends that in spite of different concepts of love, both conceptions include desire, god, beauty and wisdom.
From the Paper
"The views of Plato on a variety of topics are typically illustrated for readers through the dialectic method, a dialogue that represents a series of questions and replies aimed at logical ..."
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Understanding Love, Desire and Epicurean Philosophy, 2006.
An analysis of myth and love in Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura" and Plato's "Symposium".
2,833 words (approx. 11.3 pages), 0 sources, $ 84.95
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Abstract
The focal point of Epicurean philosophy is often defined as the pursuit of pleasure and how this common misconception has led some intellectuals to criticize Epicurean philosophy as a hopelessly hedonistic attempt to satisfy unending desires. It analyzes how Lucretius's answer to the problem of unending desires in his "De Rerum Natura" is the lack of satisfaction itself. It also examines how the same type of confusion and misconception is depicted in another ancient author's work, Plato's "Symposium". Instead of only being confused about what pleasure is, no one else in the dialogue except Socrates can explain what love and pleasure are.
From the Paper
"Socrates use of myth becomes the perfect catalyst to introduce his radical idea of what love is. Every other speech before his only praised love and the need to love as beautiful and nothing but wonderful. In fact, Eryximachus and Aristophanes have defined love through only the good feelings of being in love. If I boiled down Aristophanes's speech boiled down in one sentence, it would read "How beautiful it is when the two halves of a lover unite." Socrates must convincingly show how wrong this popular concept of love as beautiful is since everybody else has mistaken the promise of love for love itself, just as Lucretius faces the daunting task of exposing Roman traditional pious values for what they truly are, burdens. "
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The Transcendence of Love, 2005.
This paper compares the transcendence of love according to Antoine de Saint-Exupery's "The Little Prince" and Plato's "The Symposium".
1,750 words (approx. 7.0 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 56.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, on the surface, Antoine de Saint-Exupery's "The Little Prince" and Plato's "The Symposium" are so different than the casual reader would not be inclined to compare them but there are certain elements, which are deeply related: Both deal with a quest to understand the nature and implication of love. The author points out that the Little Prince travels across all the stars before he discovers the nature and necessity of love; Socrates travels throughout realms of philosophy in order to seek the true understanding of love. The paper relates that, though they come to different conclusions about the nature of love, many of their conclusions have certain similarities: In both cases, the transformation from ignorance to wisdom is vital to the understanding of love. It explains that the transformation is aided by the wisdom of an elder and the protagonist comes to understand that love is a transcendent power beyond the visible; however, the difference is the definition of transcendence makes Exupery's work essentially innocent in its physicality and Plato's work grown-up and oddly sterile in its denial of the body.
From the Paper
"The two works are also similar in that both of the quests for love are aided by wisdom from outside the experience of the seeker. Plato is aided in his understanding by Diotima, and the Little Prince finds wisdom in the words of the Socrates whom he tames. Of course, there are significant differences in the relationship between Socrates's relationship with Diotima and the relationship between the Prince and the Fox, most notable that the former seems to be purely intellectual and the later is based in love itself. Socrates seems to be guided to an understanding of love through the intervention of wisdom, while the Prince comes both to understand wisdom and to understand love through the experience of love and the intervention of the beloved. Socrates is taught, the Prince is tamed, or at least becomes a tamer. "
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Love in 'The Symposium', 2006.
This paper discusses the theme of love in 'The Symposium' by Plato.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 1 source, $ 62.95
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Abstract
This philosophical study presents an analysis on 'The Symposium' by Plato. The writer shows that the basis of Plato's dialogues reflect the beliefs and truths about love in ancient Greek thought, through the differing societal opinions offered by the leading philosophers of Athens. By presenting the various speeches and commentaries on love that the characters of this symposium represent, the writer points out the dictates that love brings through the representation of a dualistic 'god' of love embodied within the message of Diotima.
From the Paper
"In this manner, the sequential structure of speeches and themes of love is the forum of debate in Greek philosophical thought within The Symposium by Plato. By understanding the three agons in the dialogues, one can realize how the various precepts of love through varying opinions in society are related to a cohesive whole. In effect, all societal views of love are not right or wrong, since both mortal man and god are unified through love, which Socrates imparts through the wisdom of Diotima. "
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Plato's Conception of Love, 2002.
Analyzes Plato's conception of love and whether it allows for a love characterized by respect for individual differences by examining four different writings.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 2 sources, $ 35.95
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Abstract
This four-page essay examines and analyzes Plato's Symposium, Nussbaum's essay, The Speech of Alcibiades: A Reading of the Symposium"; and Vlastos'essay, "The Individual as the Object of Love in Plato," in terms of whether Plato's conception of love allows for the love between individuals, a love that is characterized by respect for individual idiosyncrasies and autonomy.
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Sartre vs. Plato and Kant, 2002.
This paper discusses what Sartre might say to Plato and Kant and then what would Plato and Kant respond to Sartre, explaining how their philosophies are both different and similar.
825 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
The paper presents an imaginary dialogue among the philosophers Sartre, Kant and Plato. Neither Kant nor Plato would agree with Sartre. On the other hand, Sartre would not have agreed with them. Three different philosophers with different points of view concerning mankind and what is best for them is clearly presented.
From the Paper
"This is where Sartre would answered, ?There is no God to have a conception of it. Man simply is. Not that he is simply what he conceives himself to be, but he is what he wills and as he conceives himself after already existing.? Sartre would have discussed the principles behind existentialism. He would have retorted about the subjectivity of mankind. "
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