{"id":5963,"date":"2025-02-16T13:26:33","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T13:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.glos.ac.uk\/rpe\/?p=5963"},"modified":"2025-11-15T22:04:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T22:04:12","slug":"why-platos-symposium-is-a-must-read-for-aspiring-philosophy-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.glos.ac.uk\/rpe\/2025\/02\/16\/why-platos-symposium-is-a-must-read-for-aspiring-philosophy-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Plato\u2019s Symposium is a Must-Read for Aspiring Philosophy Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you think philosophy is all abstract theories and dusty textbooks, Plato\u2019s Symposium <\/em>will surprise you. This ancient text tackles one of humanity\u2019s messiest, most relatable emotions: love. But it\u2019s not just about romance\u2014it\u2019s about desire, wisdom, and how philosophy transforms the way we live. For A-level students curious about studying philosophy at university, here\u2019s why this dialogue matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love vs. Wisdom? Not So Fast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We often see philosophy as a detached, academic subject. But Plato\u2019s Symposium <\/em>links it to eros<\/em>\u2014erotic, passionate love\u2014not just philia <\/em>(friendship or affection). Why? Because philosophy, at its core, is driven by desire. The Greek word literally means ‘love of wisdom,’ but Plato argues that this longing isn\u2019t dry or passive. It\u2019s urgent, human, and deeply personal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desire, Plato suggests, isn\u2019t just about filling a void (like hunger). It defines who we are. What we crave\u2014whether approval, status, or the latest TikTok trend\u2014reveals our values. But Plato pushes further: human desire isn\u2019t just about things; it\u2019s social. We want what others want because we crave recognition. Sound familiar? Social media thrives on this. Every ‘like’ or viral post taps into our need to be seen, mirroring Plato\u2019s insight that desire is relational.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diotima\u2019s Ladder: From Attraction to Eternal Truths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Enter Diotima, the philosopher-prophetess who teaches Socrates that love is a journey. She uses a myth: Eros, the god of love, is born from Poverty (Penia<\/em>) and Resourcefulness (Poros<\/em>). This makes love a restless seeker\u2014neither fully ignorant nor wise, but forever striving.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diotima\u2019s ‘ladder of love’ explains how desire evolves:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Physical attraction: You start by loving one beautiful person.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Universal beauty: You realize beauty exists in many forms.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Beauty of the mind: Intellectual and moral beauty outshine the physical<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Beauty itself: Finally, you grasp eternal, unchanging Truth\u2014the ultimate goal of philosophy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcibiades: When Desire Goes Wrong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The dialogue\u2019s most dramatic moment comes when Alcibiades, a charismatic (and drunken) politician, crashes the party. He admits to pursuing Socrates, not for wisdom, but for sex\u2014a scandalous role reversal in ancient Athens, where older men typically courted younger boys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcibiades\u2019 tragedy? He confuses physical desire with philosophical yearning. He wants Socrates\u2019 wisdom but lacks the self-discipline to earn it. Plato\u2019s message is clear: philosophy isn\u2019t about collecting knowledge; it\u2019s about living differently. Alcibiades\u2019 failure shows that wisdom requires integrity, not just intellect.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why This Matters for Philosophy Students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Philosophy is transformative: It\u2019s not just debating ideas\u2014it\u2019s about reshaping your desires and priorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Critical thinking meets self-reflection: The Symposium<\/em> challenges you to ask: ‘What do I truly value? How do my desires align with my goals?’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Timeless relevance: Plato\u2019s exploration of social desire\u2014why we crave validation\u2014feels eerily modern in the age of Instagram.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studying texts like the Symposium <\/em>at university will push you to analyze complex arguments, question cultural norms, and connect ancient ideas to contemporary life. You\u2019ll grapple with ethics, metaphysics, and politics\u2014all through the lens of human passion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plato\u2019s Symposium <\/em>isn\u2019t just a dusty classic. It\u2019s a roadmap for anyone seeking wisdom, offering a provocative blend of drama, psychology, and metaphysics. For A-level students, it\u2019s a taste of what university philosophy entails: rigorous thinking, historical context, and the thrill of ideas that change how you see the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, are you ready to climb Diotima\u2019s ladder? Philosophy might just be the most exhilarating journey you\u2019ll ever take. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Considering philosophy at uni? Dive deeper into Plato, Nietzsche, or Simone de Beauvoir\u2014and ask yourself: What do I desire most?* <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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