Platonic Academy Essays

In his book “The Republic”, Plato argues vis-à-vis Socrates that the philosopher is, in fact, the happiest person. He draws this conclusion when he compares it against that of a money-lover and an honour-lover. This paper will expound on the argument put forth by Socrates and in doing so will provide the reasons for my support of his argument. In Book 9 of “The Republic”, Socrates wants to find out the type of person that enjoys the most pleasant life and therefore, suggests that the soul of each

Many people believe that money is not a source of happiness and that there are other things in life that are more fulfilling than financial wealth. According to Maris Rada, money contributes to greed and envy as people wish to live for nothing else but material gain. For Craig Fernandez, cash does not contribute to satisfaction and joy because it doesn’t provide meaning and emotional compassion as relationships with friends, family and loved ones. In short, money cannot buy indefinite happiness

Analyzing one’s emotional attachment to a significant other, Socrates emphasizes the dynamic result of love based upon marital standards, while Plato reveals the inevitable and unrelenting beauty of prolonged affection. Challenging Socrates’s claim that destructive relationships catalyze philosophical crises, reveals the dynamic results of endearment. Claiming that true love begets happiness, while destructive relationships catalyze philosophical thoughts and action, Socrates’s claim fails. For

In The Symposium, Plato makes Eryximachus say that Socrates is undoubtedly a master of the art of love. Why? I think that he is trying to say that a great philosopher and wise man like Socrates is able to tame love and he doesn't need sexual gratification or pleasure to satisfy him. When he is interested in young boys, it doesn't mean that he is physically attracted to them, he is attracted to the fact that he can lead one of these particular boys to see the true form of beauty. Plato is trying

In Book One of The Laws of Plato, the Athenian stranger argues that symposia, when properly conducted, is a great boon for education. We learn that symposium’s most basic characterization and understanding is a conference or meeting to discuss a certain concern or subject. Through reading, The Laws of Plato we discover that education is extremely important and it allows the individual to be good and noble which in return presents the educated means and a worthy life in society. How does the stranger

How many people does one person know? Now, out of everyone they know, how many of them are acquaintances? Furthermore how many of those people are considered their friends? Assuming that they are not friends with every person they have ever met, they probably have a handful of friends and even fewer that they would consider a close friend. For example, a friend is someone who they would not like to share an embarrassing story with, whereas their best friend knows every single last detail of the

Introduction Sonnet 130 is considered to be in the group of poems addressing the so called ‘Dark Lady’, who the speaker hates, loves and lusts for simultaneously. In the Sonnet Shakespeare characterizes the Dark Lady’s appearance with metaphors, which are extraordinarily out of character for the Petrarchan traditions. Instead of lauding the unavailable mistress in the highest terms, as the Petrarchan tradition dictates, Sonnet 130 humorously mocks those traditions by ‘placing innovative pressure

The play “Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare is a comedy that tells the tale of two pairs of lovers: Hero and Claudio, and Beatrice and Benedict. Though the main plot of the story revolves around Hero and Claudio, Benedict and Beatrice’s romantic relationship is an important subplot to the story. In “Much Ado About Nothing”, Shakespeare uses irony, hyperbole, and use of language to illustrate Benedict and Beatrice as a nontraditional spin on the ideal couple through the strength and security

Hedda’s ‘hysteria’ is because of the fact she is unsuited to the female roles of society. Her decision of marriage and her unwanted pregnancy has aided a lot in her mental hysteric situation. In A Doll’s House, the protagonist of the play Nora Helmer’s hysteria has released in the Tarantella dance. Similarly, playing of piano by Hedda helps in the release of her hysteria. Being a daughter of General and having military background, hedda is following strict codes of conducts and narrow traditions

Akasha: The fifth element or otherwise known as spirit Besom: A broom. I think it is usually hand crafted with either twigs or hay tied to a stick. I read a cleansing spell that involved one once. Athame: Pronunciation will generally start an argument among the online community. Right next to Samhain in that aspect. It's a knife-like ritual tool. Not usually used for cutting physically. Depends on the practitioner. Merry Meet: Neat greeting. Merry Part: Good wishes when a conversation closes. Synonymous

The symposium is a book constructed on Plato’s conceptions around the passionate erotic love. To Plato and others during this time love (eros) was known as a god, with such beauty and goodness that others praise and competing for its entity. As a young boy of royalty older men would advertise themselves for a chance at love (eros). This was an opportunity to raise a boy into a man, teaching all the necessary tools needed for adulthood. Some of these roles as a partner included being sexual active

Lost Objectivity in the Symposium The Symposium presents several arguments about love at a group drinking party. Eryximachus suggests that each of the guests orate a speech on love and explain what love actually means. Each of the guests presents a speech on love, however; their analysis of love may not be as objective as it seems. They each have their own personal beliefs that they seem to be advancing in each of their speeches. Characters in the Symposium twist the meaning of love to fit their

Plato creates an interesting character to his work, Symposium, with the addition of Diotima. Diotima is the only woman introduced during the all-male symposium and there is an essential understanding of life that comes from her being a woman. Symposiums that were held during the time of ancient Greece were strictly for males and their ideas. Women had no place, except for decoration.  Plato choosing to add a female figure is out of the ordinary and quite surprising.         Plato wrote the Symposium

Alcohol and love, two main forces that transport one outside of themselves and into a new state of being. In Plato’s Symposium the topic is of love and the effects of alcohol become quite apparent through the introduction of Alcibiades. Prior to Alcibiades entrance, it is Eryximachus who sets the tone of the piece in regards to drinking preaching about holding oneself to a standard of moderation. Of course this is all abandoned when Alcibiades comes in. Besides their contrasting views on alcohol

Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, is often remembered as a love story gone wrong. Many people think of Romeo and Juliet that way mainly because the two protagonists are met with a dreadful death. Romeo and Juliet were “star-crossed lovers,” but their deaths could have been avoided if it weren't for their own costly mistakes and the mistakes of others. While some of the events that led to Romeo and Juliet’s death were inevitable, others could have been avoided if some of the

The movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, is based in Western Pennsylvania and directed towards teenage boys and girls. The story begins with a teenage boy named Charlie Kelmeckis who is entering his freshman year of high school. He is trying to cope with the death of a close friend and close relative, his own life, his lack of friends, and starting a new life at a new school. Chbosky does a miraculous job at narrating all of these issues through the eyes

The Epic of Gilgamesh conveys numerous themes. Among those are the inevitability of death, the eminence of the gods, and strikingly the importance of love as an impetus. Love, defined in a consummate sense is intimacy, passion, and commitment. These traits are exemplified in Gilgamesh and Enkidu's relationship, and they are also implied between Enkidu and Sham hat. Despite the violent and abrasive nature of the happenings of this text, love is displayed blatantly throughout. From Enkidu's introduction

Healthy relationships allow two people to feel supported and connect to one another while also feeling equally independent and free. A healthy relationship is based on a firm foundation so that it will be long lasting. There are many things that factor into a healthy relationship in order for both people to feel that they can trust each other and support each other when challenges arise. William Shakespeare once said, “Honesty is the best policy. If I lose my honor, I lose myself.” Shakespeare was

Throughout the play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, the Nurse and Friar Laurence played similar roles, both acting as mentors to the young couple. The hatred and tension between the Montagues and Capulets resulted in Romeo and Juliet’s marriage being kept a secret. They had no other choice then to confide their love for one another to the Nurse and Friar Laurence. Romeo and Juliet had warring parents who were not extremely involved in their everyday lives, therefore, the Nurse and

Once two people introduce themselves and start to get to know each other a friendship can begin. Friendship is essential to life. The Bible has 115 verses on friendship and the importance of it. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” What makes a true friend and how can they sharpen one another? While there are many adjectives that could be used to describe a true friend, encouraging, challenging, and having fun together are some of the important