Does "Platonic Love" Really Exist?

According to Plato, true love goes beyond mere physical attraction. He believed that love isn't just about appreciating someone's outer beauty but also about seeking the deeper beauty within a person.

The term "Platonic love," however, has often been misunderstood. While it is commonly thought to refer to a type of unattainable, idealized love that fixates on physical beauty, this interpretation doesn't align with Plato's original ideas.

Understanding The Concept of Platonic Love

Have you ever experienced a love that seemed impossible, unreciprocated, and beyond reach? Many of us have, and this is often labeled as "Platonic love." But according to Plato, love can indeed be achieved, and it is much more profound than the way society commonly views it.

María Camila Gallego, a professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Human Sciences, sheds light on what Platonic love really is. She explains that the common understanding of this concept differs significantly from Plato's original teachings.

To grasp the true meaning, it's helpful to refer to "The Banquet," a dialogue in which Socrates recounts a lesson on love from Diotima, a priestess.

The Three Types Of Love In Ancient Greece

In Ancient Greece, love was categorized into three types:

Agape: Unconditional love, representing absolute commitment and fidelity. In Christian belief, this is the love God has for humanity.

Philia: The love shared among family, friends, and colleagues.

Eros: The romantic love between couples, which for Plato, extends far beyond mere romance.

Plato viewed love as a form of divine madness—a connection with the divine. For him, to love is to seek transcendence and connect with something eternal. Love is the driving force behind philosophy, which isn't just a theoretical pursuit but a deep desire to seek knowledge, happiness, and truth in others.

The Ladder Of Love: From Physical To Spiritual Beauty

Plato proposed a "ladder of love," a journey that begins with physical attraction but ascends to much higher forms of beauty:

Physical Beauty: The initial attraction to someone's appearance.

Beauty of the Soul: The recognition of a person's virtues and inner qualities.

Beauty in Things: Appreciation for the beauty found in nature, art, knowledge, and other aspects of life.

Beauty Itself: The ultimate realization that true beauty transcends physical appearance and lies in the essence of a person.

According to Plato, the goal of a lover is not to remain fixated on physical beauty but to seek and appreciate the deeper, more meaningful beauty within. This deeper love leads to true knowledge and happiness.

Misconceptions About Platonic Love

The modern notion of Platonic love often stops at the first step—physical beauty—and believes that true love is unattainable.

This, according to Gallego, is a superficial interpretation that misses the true purpose of love. Plato would likely be disappointed with how the term is used today because it reflects a shallow understanding of love, preventing people from experiencing its true depth and potential for happiness.

The True Purpose Of Love

Love, as Plato envisioned, is not just about finding beauty but about following a path that leads to truth. Those who view love as mere attraction are trapped in a world of appearances and cannot fully understand human truth or love. To reach true happiness, one might need what Socrates referred to as a divine impulse of love—a drive to seek knowledge and truth.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned Does "Platonic Love" Really Exist? With The Three Types Of Love In Ancient Greece You Most Know.

This pursuit of love and truth can become a lifelong mission, one that not only brings personal fulfillment but also helps others understand what love truly is.