What does Diotima say in the Symposium?
Diotima argues that not everything must be either one thing or its opposite. For instance, having unjustified true opinions is neither wisdom nor ignorance. Wisdom consists in justified true opinions, but one would hardly call a true opinion ignorant.
Why is Diotima in symposium?
There are two ideas attributed to Diotima in the Symposium that have had an influence on the direction of Greek philosophy. The first is her distinctive teachings on love, and the second is her idea of metaxy or the “in-between”.
What is the message of the Symposium?
Symposium highlights two common characteristics of classical Greek culture—homoeroticism (conceived of rather differently from a modern understanding of homosexuality) and love of drinking parties. Plato critiques both these cultural elements by portraying Socrates as the utmost exemplar of sobriety and restraint.
What does Socrates say in the Symposium?
Socrates goes on to point out that if good things are beautiful, then Love must also be lacking in good things, and cannot himself be good. Agathon surrenders, saying that he cannot argue against Socrates. Socrates replies that it is easy to argue against Socrates, but that Agathon cannot argue with the truth.
What is soul according to Diotima?
For Diotima, this dynamic, changing quality of the soul leads her to a very different conclusion than Plato’s: Unlike the gods, the human soul is not immortal, though we fervently want it to be. And it is this doomed passion for immortality that inspires the “prizing” of our children.
What do we learn from Alcibiades speech?
In battle, Socrates showed great bravery, once saving Alcibiades’ life. Alcibiades concludes his speech by remarking that we cannot liken Socrates to any other person, past or present. At best, we can compare him to a satyr who is god-like on the inside.
What is the purpose of love according to Diotima?
Diotima argues that love occurs when a human being is pregnant and desires to bear beautiful things that are not only immortal, but also wise and virtuous (Rouse 104). It implies that love is assurance of immortality and happy live through procreation of body and societal values.
What is a symposium speech?
A symposium speech is a talk given by someone that involves the audience participating in discussions and making their own speeches or presentations. Symposiums are often held by universities, colleges, government organizations and private, public and nonprofit groups.
What symposium tells us about love?
During the symposium, Phaedrus suggests that love is one of the oldest and strongest forces and that it inspires people to behave with good morals. Eryximachus picks up saying that love inspires order in not only people but in the arts and sciences as well.
What does the name Diotima mean?
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 is love according to Alcibiades?
First, he must love a body. Then he must realize that beauty is a characteristics of all bodies, and love bodies in general, and then move on to loving the souls/ the minds. But he must not love a specific mind, rather a set of patterns that exist in many minds, which should lead him to love beautiful pursuit and laws.
How is love defined in the symposium?
For them, love (eros) is a god whose beauty and. goodness they compete with one another in praising. Even Pausanias, who. takes care to distinguish noble from base love, claims that “it is always honor- able to comply with a lover to attain excellence” (185b)-even if the lover.
How do you start a symposium speech?
7 Memorable Ways to Open a Speech or Presentation
- Quote. Opening with a relevant quote can help set the tone for the rest of your speech.
- “What If” Scenario. Immediately drawing your audience into your speech works wonders.
- “Imagine” Scenario.
- Question.
- Silence.
- Statistic.
- Powerful Statement/Phrase.
What is the object of love according to Socrates Diotima?
Socrates and Diotima agree that love is the desire to have the good forever.
Was Diotima a real person?
refer to Diotima as a real person, although Plato is probably their only basis for this. A second century AD reference to Diotima can be found in the works of Lucian. The suggestion that she was a fictional creation was not introduced until the 15th century by Marsilio Ficino.
Why is Alcibiades speech important?
Alcibiades’ speech serves primarily to show that Socrates exemplifies the qualities of the ideal lover alluded to in Diotima’s speech. He seems completely aloof from physical pleasures, disdainful of Alcibiades’ sexual advances, and seeks to lead Alcibiades and other youths through the ascent toward the Form of Beauty.
What is the role of Diotima in Socrates speech?
Diotima is a fictitious prophetess whom Socrates invents in his speech at the symposium. He portrays her as having initiated him into the higher mysteries of Eros through a dialectical discussion.
What does Diotima say about love in symposium?
Symposium by Plato Summary and Analysis of Diotima Questions Socrates and The Speech of Diotima. She interprets the stories as Achilles and Alcestis dying for immortal glory, not for the lover or beloved. Ultimately, it was also for love, since the ultimate object of love is immortality, according to Diotima.
What is the purpose of the Diotima?
Diotima is generally accepted to be a fictional creation of Socrates (or Plato). This device (creating a character and conversation) is unprecedented in rhetoric. In terms of frame narrative, it creates another layer of distance from the original teller of the story to the reader, at a point where the most serious speech occurs.
Who is Diotima in the dialogue with Agathon?
…dialogue with Agathon to an account of Love he received from a wise woman called Diotima of Mantinea. He says that he had once had a dialogue with Diotima in which… (full context)