Other-Centred Love: Diotima’s lesson to Socrates (Article) -- Ancient History Encyclopedia

Article

by Colin A. Redmond
published on 21 November 2011

In this thesis I set out to determine the possible motivations in response to which Diotima agreed to teach Socrates the arts of love. In the process I develop a broader understanding of Diotima and her natural, feminine complexity. This understanding of Diotima suggests an interpretation of her teaching to show that, for all that can be said of love it is, importantly a re-orientation from self-centred interest to other-centred interest and it is this re-orientation which impacted on Socrates and by which he was persuaded.

Such an impact and its explanation offers a clear rationale for the changes which are observed in the way Socrates engages with his correspondents in the dialogues which we read in Plato‟s work.

The coherence between the motivations, the teaching and the result of the impact on Socrates suggests that Diotima was of singular importance in Socrates‟ life. Moreover, rather than a fictional creation, the complexity and integrity of her character supports the argument that she is drawn from life.

Written by Colin A. Redmond, linked by Jan van der Crabben, published 21 November 2011. Source URL: http://researchonline.nd.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1049&context=theses.

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