In the Symposium, Plato says that Diotima taught Socrates “the art of love” — an ambiguous phrase. As she was teaching him this art, Socrates made the claim that love was a great and powerful god.

Why does Socrates use Diotima?

The character of Socrates may be used by Plato as the character of Diotima is used by Socrates: as a way of showing that his discourse is addressed to an audience and that the expression of his knowledge is relative to the enunciative situation.

What is the meaning of Diotima?

The name Diotima means one who honors or is honored by Zeus, and her descriptor as “Mantinikê” (Mantinean) seems designed to draw attention to the word “mantis”, which suggests an association with prophecy.

What does Socrates say about Diotima?

Having been convinced that Love is not beautiful or good, Socrates asks Diotima if that means Love is ugly and bad. Diotima argues that not everything must be either one thing or its opposite. For instance, having unjustified true opinions is neither wisdom nor ignorance.

What is beauty according to Diotima?

Diotima suggests that a life gazing upon and pursuing this Beauty is the best life one can lead. Many of us can give up all luxuries in order to gaze upon and be with someone we love.

How does Diotima propose that we find true love of what is good and beautiful?

Within her speech, Diotima implies that love has very little to do with sexual attraction and physical intimacy. Rather, love is associated with man’s search for the good and the beautiful. Life’s aspects of good and beauty are found in the pregnancy of the body and the soul.

What does Diotima say that the purpose of love is what does she say the aim of love is?

Diotima’s next move is to ask in what way people pursue love. She cryptically claims that Love’s function is “giving birth in beauty both in body and in mind.” All people, she asserts, are pregnant in body and mind and naturally want to give birth when they reach a certain age.

What does Diotima say about love?

Diotima’s teachings

Diotima began with saying that if a man is normal, he will naturally fall in love with one particular beautiful body. Then, he must consider the similarities of the beauty in different bodies. If he understands that all bodies are beautiful he will become a lover of all bodies, not just one.

Who is a lover of wisdom?

A philosopher is someone who practices philosophy. The term philosopher comes from the Ancient Greek: φιλόσοφος, romanized: philosophos, meaning ‘lover of wisdom’.

Was Socrates a real person?

Socrates, (born c. 470 bce, Athens [Greece]—died 399 bce, Athens), ancient Greek philosopher whose way of life, character, and thought exerted a profound influence on Western philosophy.