Graduation Year
Fall 2013
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Philosophy
Reader 1
Suzanne Obdrzalek
Rights Information
© 2013 Remy P. Pinson
Abstract
To many people love is special, sacred even. Love plays a countless number of roles for a countless number of people. Contemporary ideas about love, however, are more in alignment with the philosophies of Aristotle, and not of Plato. Aristotle held that love could exist as many people see it today – wishing well for others purely for their own sake. But Plato disagreed. Plato claimed that love was a way by which one could better themselves and become wiser. In this thesis, I explain Plato’s theory of love put forth in the Symposium. I also explore the textual evidence for the selfish nature of Plato’s love.
Recommended Citation
Pinson, Remy P., "What's Love Got to Do with It? An Exploration of the Symposium and Plato's Love" (2013). CMC Senior Theses. 740.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/740
