Plato's Symposium: A Critical Guide

Plato's Symposium is an exceptionally multi-layered dialogue. At once a historical document, a philosophical drama that enacts abstract ideas in an often light-hearted way, and a literary masterpiece, it has exerted an influence that goes well beyond the confines of philosophy. The essays in this volume, by leading scholars, offer detailed analyses of all parts of the work, focusing on the central and much-debated theme of erōs or 'human desire' - which can refer both to physical desire or desire for happiness. They reveal thematic continuities between the prologue and the various speeches as well as between the speeches themselves, and present a rich collection of contrasting yet complementary readings of Diotima's speech. The volume will be invaluable for classicists and philosophers alike, and for all who are interested in one of Plato's most fascinating and challenging dialogues.

Author: Pierre Destrée
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 01/03/2019
Pages: 280
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.59d
ISBN13: 9781107525696
ISBN10: 1107525691
BISAC Categories:
- Philosophy | History & Surveys | Ancient & Classical