Platonic Love is really what we think it is?

5 February 2021

Platonic Love is really what we think it is?

We all have heard the expression “Platonic Love”. We immediately associate this expression with impossible, idealized love. That unattainable love that lacks the sexual element.

It is understood as love at a distance, far away, but full of dreams and longings. It is an expression that is usually used lightly and in a context almost always jovial and fun. The object of this love is a perfect human being, lacking defects. Platonic love is a love based on pure desire.

Plato

The great Greek philosopher Plato, a disciple of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founded the Academy of Athens, where he taught for years. He wrote several works on various subjects including philosophy, cosmology, ethics, politics, and psychology. Plato’s work has remained almost intact since it was created.

Plato’s works were written in form of conversations, which is why they are known as Platonic dialogues. On the subject of love, Plato wrote two works: The Banquet (or also known as The Symposium) and Phaedrus.

Plato, c. 427-347 BCE.

The Banquet

In The Banquet Plato evokes a dinner, where the participants comment frankly about love. They are surrounded by music, dance, and drinks. Each of the participants gives their point of view on love.

They talk about the types of love, its longevity, what love is like, who is looking for love. This beautiful work introduces us to the idea of love’s search for beauty. It also introduces the idea that love seeks to complement the human being. Where the other person loved is the one that complements your life, the idea of the “other half” is presented in this beautiful work. Love is a search for immortality.

Phaedrus

Plato’s other work that talks about love is Phaedrus. In this Platonic dialogue, the idea that love is a type of madness is introduced. It speaks of earthly and heavenly love. The earthly is the passionate, the human. And heavenly love is the one that seeks perfection and beauty. Earthly love is bad for Plato, except when it is accompanied by heavenly love. Supreme love is that which is manifested in the desire for good.

Plato’s Love

Then according to Plato love is essentially pure, devoid of passions. As passions are banal feelings, lacking depth, earthly. Carnal passion is ephemeral, fickle, and material. For Plato love is a virtue, it is good. It is the search for knowledge, for beauty. It is deep and long-lasting.

The Symposium (Second Version). Anselm Feuerbach. 1874.

Then how does the phrase ¨Platonic Love¨ come about?

The first time the phrase “Platonic Love” was used was during the 15th century, and it was used by the Florentine Neoplatonic philosopher Marsilio Ficino. Referring to love centered on beauty, on the intelligence of the other, in the search for knowledge. In other words, in a Socratic way, as Plato describes it.

But the phrase took the concept that we use today, since the writer of “The Platonick Lovers”, William Davenant used it in this play. It was a work that combined satire and tragicomedy. Now Platonic Love is that ideal love, unattainable and lacking the sexual element, however, it is passionate. Far from Plato’s idea of love.