Eventually, in time, with consequent steps up the ladder, the idea of beauty is eventually no longer connected with a body, but entirely united with Being itself. "[3], Diotima considers the carnal limitation of human beings to the pregnancy of the body to be a form of tragedy, as it separates someone from the pursuit of truth. Updates? The desirous soul is not yet in fruition of the good. [3], What Plato describes as "pregnancy of the body" is entirely carnal and seeks pleasure and beauty in bodily form only. 2 Miller, P. A. A more spiritual form of the same craving for eternity is the aspiration to win immortal fame by combining with a kindred soul to give birth to sound institutions and rules of life. The term platonic love originally comes from philosopher Plato who described his notion of love in his famous text ‘The Symposium”. Originally, Plato’s view was directed towards same-sex relationships (sexual or not), but as time passed, our definition of platonic love has shifted. Divine Eros begins the journey from physical attraction, i.e. The term is named after the philosopher Plato, although the philosopher never used the term himself. [3], The ladder starts with carnal attraction of body for body, progressing to a love for body and soul. She values the platonic friendship she has had with Chris for ten years. It explains the possibilities of how the feeling of love began, and how it has evolved — both sexually and non … For a brief period, Platonic love was a fashionable subject at the English royal court, especially in the circle around Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I. Platonic love was the theme of some of the courtly masques performed in the Caroline era—though the fashion soon waned under pressures of social and political change. Platonic relationships generally involve a deep friendship of non-sexual nature among two heterosexual individuals who may or may not be of the opposite sex. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. The first use of the modern sense of platonic love is taken as an invention of Ficino in one of his letters. Platonic love can be sturdy, unwavering, and unfazed. 2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun] Platonic means relating to the ideas of the Greek philosopher Plato. This was caused by Georgios Gemistos Plethon during the Councils of Ferrara and Firenze in 1438–1439. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. For Diotima, and for Plato generally, the most correct use of love of human beings is to direct one's mind to love of divinity. It usually applies to that love which develops from an ideal or imagination, without any sexual intimacy. One of the complications of platonic love lies within the persistence of the use of the title itself "platonic love" versus the use of "friend". Platonic love, a phrase used in two senses, with allusion in both cases to Plato’s account of love in his Symposium. (2013). Unlike romantic love, in platonic love, you feel attracted by their inner self, personality, and character. So the expression does line up with what Plato says about love. In its crudest form, love for a beautiful person is really a passion to beget offspring by that person and so to attain, by the perpetuation of one’s stock, the substitute for immortality which is all the body can achieve. Two Meanings of platonic This can be seen as a form of linguistic relativity. states: "The most popular reasons for retaining a platonic relationship of the opposite sex (or sex of attraction) was to safeguard a relationship, followed by not attracted, network disapproval, third party, risk aversion, and time out." It is the use of the word love that directs us towards a deeper relationship than the scope of a normal friendship. Socrates defines love based on separate classifications of pregnancy (to bear offspring); pregnancy of the body, pregnancy of the soul, and direct connection to Being. "Platonic love: dasein's urge toward being. By extension, it may be used to cover that stage of chivalrous or courtly love in which sexual intercourse is indefinitely postponed. This video is unavailable. [4], "So this is how I assert that Eros is the oldest, most honorable, and most competent of the gods with regard to the acquisition of virtue and happiness by human beings both when living and dead. The love between friends is platonic love. Watch Queue Queue. [3] This definition varies considerably from the modern English interpretation of the term, where virtue equates to that which is good, positive, or benevolent. Thus it resonates with the Icosahedron. The following signs will make it easier to identify a platonic love friendship. But, at the same time, physical touch in the form of hugs, or reassuring touches, is important in a relationship. • Lovely platonic evenings, the odd kiss and fumble? Platonic love is impossible to materialize or realize: that remains as something idyllic, which can never be achieved. Rojcewicz, R. (1997). The object which awakens this desirous love in all its forms is beauty, and beauty is eternal. Sometimes, the connection is even greater. The term is named after Plato, who philosophised about the nature of love. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Platonic love definition in English dictionary, Platonic love meaning, synonyms, see also 'Platonic solid',Platonic body',Platonically',plutonic'. Throughout these eras platonic love slowly was categorized into different subsections, which were: There is a type of porosity that allows love to filter through one type and into the next, causing them to seep into and pass through each other. Enrich your vocabulary with the English Definition dictionary Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Dynamics of vision in Plato's thought. According to Science Daily, “Platonic love in its modern popular sense is an affectionate relationship into which the sexual element does not enter, … If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, they'd describe their friendship as platonic. Such a form of love is impossible for a mortal to achieve. This is the ancient, philosophical interpretation. This is the celebrated Platonic Love, which, from having originally meant a communion of two souls, and that in a rigidly dialectical sense, has been degraded to the expression of maudlin sentiment between the sexes. • When I talk about love affairs, I also include platonic love affairs. According to Diotima in her discussion with Socrates, for anyone to achieve the final rung in the Ladder of Love, they would essentially transcend the body and rise to immortality—gaining direct access to Being. The immediate object of the Symposium—which professes to record the discourses made in eulogy of Eros by a group of eminent speakers at a banquet in honour of the tragic poet Agathon—is to find the highest manifestation of the love which controls the world in the mystic aspiration after union with the eternal and supercosmic beauty. The Symposium depicts Socrates as the type of the aspirant who has reached the goal of union and sets in sharp opposition to him the figure of Alcibiades, who has sold his spiritual birthright for the pleasures and ambitions of the world. • And her diary reveals claims that her request for a purely platonic friendship had been loosely interpreted by Gerald. 1 : love conceived by Plato as ascending from passion for the individual to contemplation of the universal and ideal. platonic definition: 1. Still more spiritual is the endeavour, in association with chosen minds, to enrich philosophy and science with noble discourses and thoughts. Clearly, today this is no longer completely the case. Platonic love definition, love of the Idea of beauty, seen as terminating an evolution from the desire for an individual and the love of physical beauty to the love and contemplation of … In this sense, it most often refers to a heterosexual relationship. Of particular importance is the speech of Socrates, who attributes to the prophetess Diotima an idea of platonic love as a means of ascent to contemplation of the divine. Watch Queue Queue Platonic describes a relationship that is purely spiritual and not physical. In the following quote, the author simplifies the idea of virtue as simply what is "good". A … Platonic love is understood as a distance love, based on fantasy and idealization , where the object of love is the perfect being, which possesses all good qualities and without defects. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Platonic-love. Thus, in common speech, platonic love means a supremely affectionate relationship between human beings in which sexual intercourse is neither desired nor practiced. "Dynamics of vision in Plato's thought. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. A platonic relationship or emotion is loving but not sexual: 2. Secondly, a study by Hause and Messman[which?] Truth and wisdom are the most dependable and beautiful and the best of all good things, and this is why Plato suggests that love is not a god but rather a philosopher. [4], "Now, if both these portraits of love, the tragic and the comic, are exaggerations, then we could say that the genuine portrayal of Platonic love is the one that lies between them. It may also be used to cover that stage of courtly love in which sexual intercourse is indefinitely postponed. "Motives to Remain Platonic, Equity, and the Use of Maintenance Strategies in Opposite-Sex Friendships. ", Rojcewicz, R. (1997). The Sacral Chakra, also known as the Swadishthan Chakra, represents Joy, well being and emotion. In the Middle Ages arose a new interest in Plato, his philosophy and his view of love. 2 : a close relationship between two persons in which sexual desire is nonexistent or has been suppressed or sublimated. (2013). In this sense, it most often refers to a heterosexual relationship. Platonic love is a type of love that is chaste and non-sexual. A feeling of familiarity with another. The step of this ascent is known as the "Ladder of Love". This points to the fact that the title of platonic love in most cases is actually a title-holder to avoid sexual interaction between knowing and consenting friends, with mutual or singular sexual interest and/or tension existing. One would be forever limited to beauty of the body, never being able to access the true essence of beauty. Corrections? ‘platonic love’ ‘Modern readers continue to debate whether the poems express platonic friendship or sexual love.’ ‘Have you had a platonic friendship that crossed the line and became romantic or sexual?’ ‘It is a purely platonic friendship, we are good company for each other.’ Platonic relationships or feelings of affection do not involve sex. "(106)[3], In short, with genuine platonic love, the beautiful or lovely other person inspires the mind and the soul and directs one's attention to spiritual things. The centre of philosophical interest lies in the discourse of Socrates, which he professes to have learned from the priestess Diotima of Mantinea. Both expressions signify a love focused on the beauty of a person's character and intelligence rather than on their physical charms. Platonic love or platonic relationship means a close relationship between two people that is not romantic. Virtue, according to Greek philosophy, is the concept of how closely reality and material form equate with the ideal, true essence of an idea, such as beauty. The offspring of true virtue would essentially lead to a mortal achieving immortality.[6]. In addition to being used to refer to a feeling, 'Platonic love 'It is also used to refer to the loved and idealized person who provokes this feeling. Platonic love in this original sense of the term is examined in Plato's dialogue the Symposium, which has as its topic the subject of love or Eros generally. [4], "[...] decent human beings must be gratified, as well as those that are not as yet decent, so that they might become more decent; and the love of the decent must be preserved. A romantic bond between a couple that involves no lust or carnality; often a deep pure love. [3], Diotima considers the idea of a mortal having direct access to Being to be a comic situation simply because of the impossibility of it. When we learn a language, when we learn a word in that language, it will be very useful for us to learn both the opposite and the synonyms of this word. What about the fact that boys and girls can never be friends? [8], "Platonic love in its modern popular sense is an affectionate relationship into which the sexual element does not enter, especially in cases where one might easily assume otherwise. Later in 1469, Marsilio Ficino put forward a theory of neo-platonic love in which he defines love as a personal ability of an individual which guides their soul towards cosmic processes and lofty spiritual goals and heavenly ideas (De Amore, Les Belles Lettres, 2012). Its symbol would be the white rose. According to Plato, there are different stages of appreciation and love that a person must go through if he feels inclined to experience the ultimate and divine love, named ‘The Beautiful’. If she describes the relationship as being platonic, most likely that's how she really views it. In such love there can be no sort of tragedy.” ― Leo Tolstoy , ... And I don’t mean that in the boring average meaning of ‘friend’ where we stop talking regularly when we’re twenty-five because we’ve both met nice young men and gone off to have babies, and only get to meet up twice a year. "[9] "Platonic lovers function to underscore a supportive role where the friend sees her or his duty as the provision of advice, encouragement, and comfort to the other person ... and do not entail exclusivity."[10]. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. That’s why when we use the term in daily life, we talk about it as a non-romantic love you have for a friend, which obviously means it’s non-sexual, too. Platonic love meant ideal sympathy ; it now means the love of a sentimental young gentleman for a woman he cannot or will not marry. Platonic love as devised by Plato concerns rising through levels of closeness to wisdom and true beauty from carnal attraction to individual bodies to attraction to souls, and eventually, union with the truth. These two extremes of love are seen by the Greeks in terms of tragedy and comedy. ", Herrmann, F. (2013). It may take a lot to shake up a platonic relationship. “And those who only know the non-platonic love have no need to talk of tragedy. Platonic definition, of, relating to, or characteristic of Plato or his doctrines: the Platonic philosophy of ideal forms. 3 Meaning of platonic love Platonic is an adjective that comes from Platonĭcus, a term from the Latin language. [3], "... virtue for the Greeks means self-sameness ... in Plato's terms, Being or idea. So, while it can certainly coexist with erotic love, it can also help both parties to it live more fulfilling lives even in the absence of romance. How to use platonic in a sentence. Duras and platonic love: The erotics of substitution. Basically platonic love is an ideal kind of love where there’s no sexual desire. [according to whom?]. ", Miller, P. A. It is derived from the concept in Plato's Symposium of the love of the idea of good which lies at the root of all virtue and truth. attraction towards beautiful form or body but transcends gradually to love for Supreme Beauty. Since the Cube is the most stable Platonic Solid and roots love to grow in the Earth, it strongly resonates with the Root Chakra. Platonic definition is - of, relating to, or characteristic of Plato or Platonism. In the Middle Ages arose a new interest in Plato, his philosophy and his view of love. The term amor platonicus was coined as early as the 15th Century by the Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino as a synonym for amor socraticus. Watch this video to understand the same. This is the type of love, that, according to Socrates, is practiced by animals. Originally, Platonic love was love that was not vulgar, meaning it wasn’t centered on lust or fulfilling carnal needs. All the surprises in the world could pop up, but this relationship may stay the same. Vulgar Eros is nothing but mere material attraction towards a beautiful body for physical pleasure and reproduction. Platonic love: dasein's urge toward being. The first use of the modern sense of platonic love is taken a… Plato defined platonic love as the kind of love that motivates us to become better versions of ourselves, inspiring us to pursue greater goals, and bringing us closer to enlightenment or the divine. A platonic relationship or emotion is loving but not sexual: 2. It brought about the best in both people. Learn more. This concept of Divine Eros is later transformed into the term platonic love. Platonic friendship specifically refers to friendship between two people who could, in theory, feel attracted to each other. Opposite Of Platonic, Antonyms of Platonic, Meaning and Example Sentences Antonym opposite words contradict each other and meet opposite meanings. The love described as the one practiced by those who are pregnant according to the soul, who partake of both the realm of beings and the realm of Being, who grasp Being indirectly, through the mediation of beings, would be a love that Socrates could practice. For Plato, love aims at beautiful and good things, because this brings happiness. It explains the possibilities of how the feeling of love began and how it has evolved—both sexually and non-sexually. Definition of platonic love. Some modern authors' perception of the terms "virtue" and "good" as they are translated into English from the Symposium are a good indicator of this misunderstanding. Platonic describes a relationship that is purely spiritual and not physical. "[4] (180c, 8) – Plato's quoting of Phaedrus' eulogy on Eros. Though Plato's discussions of love originally centered on relationships which were sexual and between members of the same sex, scholar Todd Reeser studies how the meaning of platonic love in Plato's original sense underwent a transformation during the Renaissance, leading to the contemporary sense of nonsexual heterosexual love.[7]. [5], "Eros is ... a moment of transcendence ... in so far as the other can never be possessed without being annihilated in its status as the other, at which point both desire and transcendence would cease ... (84)[5], In the Symposium, Eros is discussed as a Greek god—more specifically, the king of the gods, with each guest of the party giving a eulogy in praise of Eros. On Ficin… The main argument may be summarized thus: eros, desirous love in all its forms, is a reaching out of the soul to a good to which it aspires but does not yet possess. [clarification needed][2], Platonic love is examined in Plato's dialogue, the Symposium, which has as its topic the subject of love or Eros generally. Instead, it was a love that inspired nobler pursuits, and brought one closer to the divine. "Duras and platonic love: The erotics of substitution. 5 Signs of Platonic Love 1. ", This page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 11:58. "[4] (187d, 17) - Eryximachus' "completion" of Pausanias' speech on Eros, Plato's Symposium defines two extremes in the process of platonic love; the entirely carnal and the entirely ethereal. Platonic love (often lower-cased as platonic love)[1] is a type of love that is not sexual. • In the novel, Edward and Susannah present a perfect model of platonic love. "... what is good is beautiful, and what is beautiful is good ..."[6], The Ladder of Love is named as such because it relates each step toward Being itself as consecutive rungs of a ladder. To put it simply, platonic love refers to a form of love that is not sexual. Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Platonic_love&oldid=996247071, Articles lacking in-text citations from January 2014, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from May 2020, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from June 2019, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from December 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Messman, S. J., Hause, D. J., & Hause, K. S. (2000). Platonic love got its name from the Greek philosopher Plato who in his famous Symposium wrote about the meaning of love from different viewpoints. See more. They refer to the special bond of affection between two men Plato had highlighted in a dialogue, and exemplified by the affection between Socrates and his young male pupils, in particular to the one between Socrates and Alcibiades. Pregnancy of the soul, the next step in the process, produces "virtue"—which is the soul (truth) translating itself into material form. Pregnancy of the body results in human children. Vulgar Eros and Divine Eros are both connected and part of the same continuous process of pursuing totality of being itself,[4] with the purpose of mending human nature, eventually reaching a point of unity where there is no longer an aspiration to change. A word has synonyms as well as antonyms. The real meaning of love in a relationship is to willfully compromise your needs in order to accommodate your partner’s needs or desires. Platonic love, a supremely affectionate relationship between human beings in which sexual intercourse is neither desired nor practiced. There is no need for a sexual connection. Omissions? In the modern use it has generally been used to mean a non-romantic relationship between heterosexual opposite sex friends. This was caused by Georgios Gemistos Plethon during the Councils of Ferrara and Firenze in 1438–1439. Later in 1469, Marsilio Ficinoput forward a theory of neo-platonic love in which he defines love as a personal ability of an individual which guides their soul towards cosmic processes and lofty spiritual goals and heavenly ideas (De Amore, Les Belles Lettres, 2012). If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, they'd describe their friendship as platonic. Herrmann, F. (2013). From the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century, the term platonic love was also used as an occasional euphemism for homosexual love, in view of the comparatively tolerant attitude to such love discernible in Plato as well as in other Greek authors. Real platonic love is stronger and more meaningful than romantic or sexual love. However, these days the term “platonic relationship” is usually … Each step closer to the truth further distances love from beauty of the body toward love that is more focused on wisdom and the essence of beauty. It resonates with element water, since emotions need to flow. A platonic relationship or…. platonic expression of inclination or liking. It is named after Greek philosopher Plato, though the philosopher never used the term himself. Virtue is the result of pregnancy of the soul. It is on the way to fruition, just as the philosopher is not yet in possession of wisdom but is reaching out after it. [according to whom?] The English term dates back to William Davenant's The Platonic Lovers (performed in 1635); a critique of the philosophy of platonic love which was popular at Charles I's court. 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