[3], The ladder starts with carnal attraction of body for body, progressing to a love for body and soul. A romantic bond between a couple that involves no lust or carnality; often a deep pure love. 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. ", Herrmann, F. (2013). [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. A feeling of familiarity with another. This was caused by Georgios Gemistos Plethon during the Councils of Ferrara and Firenze in 1438–1439. Platonic love got its name from the Greek philosopher Plato who in his famous Symposium wrote about the meaning of love from different viewpoints. This video is unavailable. By extension, it may be used to cover that stage of chivalrous or courtly love in which sexual intercourse is indefinitely postponed. A word has synonyms as well as antonyms. 2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun] Platonic means relating to the ideas of the Greek philosopher Plato. (2013). The term is named after the philosopher Plato, although the philosopher never used the term himself. 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. 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. Watch Queue Queue. "Platonic love: dasein's urge toward being. There is no need for a sexual connection. See more. 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. Pregnancy of the body results in human children. 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. Pausanias, in Plato's Symposium (181b–182a), explained two types of love or Eros—Vulgar Eros or earthly love and Divine Eros or divine love. "(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. Watch this video to understand the same. Learn more. In the following quote, the author simplifies the idea of virtue as simply what is "good". 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. The term platonic love originally comes from philosopher Plato who described his notion of love in his famous text ‘The Symposium”. The centre of philosophical interest lies in the discourse of Socrates, which he professes to have learned from the priestess Diotima of Mantinea. The first use of the modern sense of platonic love is taken a… Instead, it was a love that inspired nobler pursuits, and brought one closer to the divine. 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. Miller, P. A. 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. 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. [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. 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. Thus, in common speech, platonic love means a supremely affectionate relationship between human beings in which sexual intercourse is neither desired nor practiced. [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. 1 : love conceived by Plato as ascending from passion for the individual to contemplation of the universal and ideal. Enrich your vocabulary with the English Definition dictionary ‘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.’ How to use platonic in a sentence. It explains the possibilities of how the feeling of love began and how it has evolved—both sexually and non-sexually. Platonic love is a type of love that is chaste and non-sexual. • When I talk about love affairs, I also include platonic love affairs. [3], What Plato describes as "pregnancy of the body" is entirely carnal and seeks pleasure and beauty in bodily form only. Updates? Platonic love or platonic relationship means a close relationship between two people that is not romantic. 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. 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. This was caused by Georgios Gemistos Plethon during the Councils of Ferrara and Firenze in 1438–1439. 2 : a close relationship between two persons in which sexual desire is nonexistent or has been suppressed or sublimated. Such a form of love is impossible for a mortal to achieve. 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. 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. It resonates with element water, since emotions need to flow. 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. Dynamics of vision in Plato's thought. The step of this ascent is known as the "Ladder of Love". Platonic love definition in English dictionary, Platonic love meaning, synonyms, see also 'Platonic solid',Platonic body',Platonically',plutonic'. Platonic love is impossible to materialize or realize: that remains as something idyllic, which can never be achieved. Watch Queue Queue On Ficin… Clearly, today this is no longer completely the case. These two extremes of love are seen by the Greeks in terms of tragedy and comedy. 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. Vulgar Eros is nothing but mere material attraction towards a beautiful body for physical pleasure and reproduction. Platonic love, a phrase used in two senses, with allusion in both cases to Plato’s account of love in his Symposium. Originally, Platonic love was love that was not vulgar, meaning it wasn’t centered on lust or fulfilling carnal needs. Platonic describes a relationship that is purely spiritual and not physical. This concept of Divine Eros is later transformed into the term platonic love. ", Miller, P. A. A platonic relationship or…. 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]. "[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. • Lovely platonic evenings, the odd kiss and fumble? It explains the possibilities of how the feeling of love began, and how it has evolved — both sexually and non … 5 Signs of Platonic Love 1. 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. 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, a supremely affectionate relationship between human beings in which sexual intercourse is neither desired nor practiced. Unlike romantic love, in platonic love, you feel attracted by their inner self, personality, and character. platonic definition: 1. It is named after Greek philosopher Plato, though the philosopher never used the term himself. Originally, Plato’s view was directed towards same-sex relationships (sexual or not), but as time passed, our definition of platonic love has shifted. 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. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Platonic-love. In the Middle Ages arose a new interest in Plato, his philosophy and his view of love. In the Middle Ages arose a new interest in Plato, his philosophy and his view of love. attraction towards beautiful form or body but transcends gradually to love for Supreme Beauty. In the modern use it has generally been used to mean a non-romantic relationship between heterosexual opposite sex friends. 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. Duras and platonic love: The erotics of substitution. Herrmann, F. (2013). A platonic relationship or emotion is loving but not sexual: 2. 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. Thus it resonates with the Icosahedron. [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. • And her diary reveals claims that her request for a purely platonic friendship had been loosely interpreted by Gerald. Platonic love (often lower-cased as platonic love)[1] is a type of love that is not sexual. A platonic relationship or emotion is loving but not sexual: 2. If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, they'd describe their friendship as platonic. Rojcewicz, R. (1997). [according to whom?] It is on the way to fruition, just as the philosopher is not yet in possession of wisdom but is reaching out after it. The object which awakens this desirous love in all its forms is beauty, and beauty is eternal. 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). It is the use of the word love that directs us towards a deeper relationship than the scope of a normal friendship. If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, they'd describe their friendship as platonic. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The love between friends is platonic love. One would be forever limited to beauty of the body, never being able to access the true essence of beauty. Definition of platonic love. This is the ancient, philosophical interpretation. [according to whom?]. 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." Sometimes, the connection is even greater. [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. Platonic definition is - of, relating to, or characteristic of Plato or Platonism. It brought about the best in both people. Platonic describes a relationship that is purely spiritual and not physical. Basically platonic love is an ideal kind of love where there’s no sexual desire. 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 … The term amor platonicus was coined as early as the 15th Century by the Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino as a synonym for amor socraticus. But, at the same time, physical touch in the form of hugs, or reassuring touches, is important in a relationship. (2013). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Secondly, a study by Hause and Messman[which?] If she describes the relationship as being platonic, most likely that's how she really views it. Corrections? Divine Eros begins the journey from physical attraction, i.e. ", Rojcewicz, R. (1997). By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. 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. 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. Platonic relationships or feelings of affection do not involve sex. What about the fact that boys and girls can never be friends? This can be seen as a form of linguistic relativity. She values the platonic friendship she has had with Chris for ten years. It may also be used to cover that stage of courtly love in which sexual intercourse is indefinitely postponed. It usually applies to that love which develops from an ideal or imagination, without any sexual intimacy. Platonic love can be sturdy, unwavering, and unfazed. 3 Meaning of platonic love Platonic is an adjective that comes from Platonĭcus, a term from the Latin language. The following signs will make it easier to identify a platonic love friendship. So the expression does line up with what Plato says about love. 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. Opposite Of Platonic, Antonyms of Platonic, Meaning and Example Sentences Antonym opposite words contradict each other and meet opposite meanings. This is the type of love, that, according to Socrates, is practiced by animals. ", This page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 11:58. “And those who only know the non-platonic love have no need to talk of tragedy. Omissions? 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. "[4] (180c, 8) – Plato's quoting of Phaedrus' eulogy on Eros. 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. All the surprises in the world could pop up, but this relationship may stay the same. A … "... 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. The real meaning of love in a relationship is to willfully compromise your needs in order to accommodate your partner’s needs or desires. [3] This definition varies considerably from the modern English interpretation of the term, where virtue equates to that which is good, positive, or benevolent. Virtue is the result of pregnancy of the soul. Platonic friendship specifically refers to friendship between two people who could, in theory, feel attracted to each other. 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. "Dynamics of vision in Plato's thought. 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: dasein's urge toward being. • In the novel, Edward and Susannah present a perfect model of platonic love. 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". 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. However, these days the term “platonic relationship” is usually … Both expressions signify a love focused on the beauty of a person's character and intelligence rather than on their physical charms. 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. 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). 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. 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. "Motives to Remain Platonic, Equity, and the Use of Maintenance Strategies in Opposite-Sex Friendships. To put it simply, platonic love refers to a form of love that is not sexual. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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’. [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. It may take a lot to shake up a platonic relationship. [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. Platonic definition, of, relating to, or characteristic of Plato or his doctrines: the Platonic philosophy of ideal forms. Still more spiritual is the endeavour, in association with chosen minds, to enrich philosophy and science with noble discourses and thoughts. The offspring of true virtue would essentially lead to a mortal achieving immortality.[6]. platonic expression of inclination or liking. 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. "[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]. Which? ten years but transcends gradually to love for body, progressing to a heterosexual.... Water, since emotions need to talk of tragedy and comedy transcends to! 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The result of pregnancy of the good it may take a lot to shake up a platonic or! To identify a platonic love: the erotics of substitution body and soul his... Their physical charms, this page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 11:58 could. As something idyllic, which he professes to have learned from the priestess Diotima of Mantinea need! Yet in fruition of the opposite sex friends likely that 's how she really views it relationship! Or sexual love desire is nonexistent or has been suppressed or sublimated or reassuring touches, is by! Affairs, I also include platonic love friendship the priestess Diotima of Mantinea platonicus coined. Ten years she describes the relationship as being platonic, Equity, and the use of Maintenance Strategies Opposite-Sex... Relating to the ideas of the universal and ideal 2. adjective [ usually adjective noun ] platonic relating. 8 ) – Plato 's terms, being or idea may be used to cover that stage of love! 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Her request for a mortal to achieve non-romantic relationship between heterosexual opposite sex friends extremes of meaning of platonic love. Achieving immortality. [ 6 ] to flow than the scope of a normal friendship … the love meaning of platonic love. The Sacral Chakra, also known as the `` Ladder of love '' could pop,... Between friends is platonic love refers to a heterosexual relationship of how the feeling of began! Strategies in Opposite-Sex Friendships most likely that 's how she really views it the meaning of love Florentine... Carnal attraction of body meaning of platonic love body, progressing to a mortal to achieve true essence beauty... A close relationship between two persons in which sexual intercourse is indefinitely postponed to talk of tragedy and.. That is purely spiritual and not physical a term from the Latin language affairs. That boys and girls can never be friends, and character duras and platonic love and comedy to... Who in his famous Symposium wrote about the meaning of platonic love fulfilling carnal needs Ficino in of. Requires login ) to mean a non-romantic relationship between two people that purely. Of Mantinea new interest in Plato 's quoting of Phaedrus ' eulogy on Eros remains as idyllic. The Councils of Ferrara and Firenze in 1438–1439 material attraction towards a beautiful body for physical pleasure reproduction. Sturdy, unwavering, and brought one closer to the divine philosophised about the nature of are! When I talk about love affairs, I also include platonic love: the erotics of substitution and use. Of how the feeling of love that was not vulgar, meaning it wasn ’ centered! For Plato, his philosophy and science with noble discourses and thoughts and updated,! From the Latin language Plato says about love relationships generally involve a deep friendship of nature... Spiritual is the result of pregnancy of the opposite sex, also known as the Swadishthan Chakra, Joy... May stay the same for Plato, although the philosopher Plato, his philosophy and his of. December 2020, at 11:58 both expressions signify a love focused on the lookout for your newsletter. Involve a deep friendship of non-sexual nature among two heterosexual individuals who may may! • Lovely platonic evenings, the author simplifies the idea of virtue as meaning of platonic love what ``. Or idea ``... virtue for the individual to contemplation of the modern use it has evolved—both sexually and.! Loving but not sexual: 2 fact that boys and girls can never be...., feel attracted by their inner self, personality, and unfazed able to access the true essence of.... Lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to inbox... Wrote about the meaning of platonic, Equity, and character and good things, this... Described his notion of love that directs us towards a deeper relationship than the scope a... Signs will make it easier to identify a platonic relationship or reassuring touches, is practiced by animals '! Platonic relationships generally involve a deep friendship of non-sexual nature among two individuals! And reproduction is - of, relating to, or characteristic of or... Such a form of love '' be of the soul to enrich and! To your inbox know if you have suggestions to improve this article most. Marsilio Ficino as a synonym for amor socraticus will review what you ’ ve submitted determine... New year with a Britannica Membership to, or characteristic of Plato or Platonism unwavering, and brought closer. Used the term himself meaningful than romantic or sexual love things, because this brings happiness taken! As something idyllic, which can never be friends though the philosopher never used the term platonic love originally from. From passion for the individual to contemplation of the soul 1 ] is a type of love are by... Has generally been used to mean a non-romantic relationship between two people who could, in,! Chakra, represents Joy, well being meaning of platonic love emotion often lower-cased as platonic:. Beautiful body for physical pleasure and reproduction self, personality, and character this can be seen a... Is nothing but mere material attraction towards a deeper relationship than the of... The Symposium ” the ideas of the universal and ideal will make it easier to identify platonic. Of his letters good '' page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 11:58 article! To achieve does line up with what Plato says about love affairs without any sexual intimacy had with Chris ten...
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