Pidot (Symposion)

Name: Pidot (Symposion)
Author: Plato

By Plato

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About This Book

A series of speeches delivered at a convivial banquet examines Eros from varied angles, beginning with personal encomia and moving toward a philosophical account that presents desire as a drive toward the eternal. One interlocutor recounts a teacher's ladder of love that progresses from bodily attraction through appreciation of laws and knowledge to contemplation of Beauty itself, framing procreation as both physical and intellectual. The text blends rhetoric, poetic imagery, and comic moments, and closes with a drunken testimony that illuminates the central philosopher's character and pedagogical aim.

About the Author

Plato

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, whose works have profoundly influenced Western philosophy. He is best known for his dialogues, which explore various philosophical themes including ethics, politics, and metaphysics. Among his most notable works is the "Apology," which presents Socrates' defense during his trial. Plato founded the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. His writings, characterized by their dialectical method and exploration of ideal forms, continue to be studied for their insights into human thought and society.