Why does Diotima claim love is not a God?
Why does Diotima claim love is not a God?
Diotima points out that, in spite of himself, Socrates has denied that Love is a god altogether. They have concluded that Love is not good and beautiful because he is in need of good and beautiful things. Love is neither mortal nor immortal, but is a spirit, which falls somewhere between being a god and being human.
What is the purpose of Plato’s Symposium?
A symposium in Greek, literally means a drinking party. But Plato’s Symposium takes the occasion of a drinking party first to praise Love and then to define it. It is a philosophical dialogue, in which meaning is created in the exchange of words between the participants. Each person in turn makes a speech.
What do Socrates and Diotima agree love lacks but desires?
Socrates and Diotima agree that love is the desire to have the good forever. Thus, the object of love is not beauty, but reproduction in birth and beauty. Since love is the desire to have the good forever, we must desire immortality as well as the good, and in reproduction we come closest to immortality.
What is the highest form of love according to Diotima in Socrates story in Plato’s Symposium?
The heroes of ancient myth, Diotima asserts, were all “in love with immortality.” In the last several paragraphs of his speech, Socrates charts out a step-by-step ascent from love of physical beauty to love of beauty in its highest and most eternal forms.
Why is Socrates unafraid of death?
Socrates ultimately does not fear death because of his innocence, he believes that death is not feared because it may be one of the greatest blessings of the soul. Socrates makes the argument that one should not fear death because only the gods know what is beyond death,because death could be a blessing.
What did Diotima teach Socrates?
Socrates says that in his youth he was taught “the philosophy of love” by Diotima, who was a seer or priestess. In her view, love drives the individual to seek beauty, first earthly beauty, or beautiful bodies. Then as a lover grows in wisdom, the beauty that is sought is spiritual, or beautiful souls.
