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Introduction

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hillaryowomugisha72
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APOSTLES OF JESUS INSTITUTE OF PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY

(Affiliated to Urbaniana University Rome-Italy)

COURSE PHILOSOPHY

UNIT PLATO SYMPOSIUM

TOPIC THE NATURE OF LOVE ACCORDING TO ALCIBIADES

NAMES KELVIN COLMAN MALLYA 2195


AFAYO INNOCENT 2192
KIARIE JOEL 2201

LECTURER REV DR SR BABIRYE

DATE 16TH/OCT/2024
INTRODUCTION

Alcibiades is a prominent Athenian statesman, general and philosopher known for his
charisma and controversial political career. He was a student of Sacrates and a figure of
fascination in Ancient Athens renowned for his beauty, intelligence, and complex personality.

In Plato symposium which is a philosophical text that explores the nature of love(Eros)
through a series of speeches given by various characters during a banquet, he arrives in a
state of being drunk, interrupting the discussions on love his speech is more of tribute to
Socrates and also a deep personal account of his infatuation with the philosopher rather than
offering a direct philosophical treatise on love.Alcibaides also explains how he was captured
by Socrates’ wisdom, confessed about his relationship with Socrates ,he feeling of
admiration, love and frustration. His speech touches on deeper form of love (one that
transcends physical attraction and is focused on wisdom, virtue and self-development).

ALCIBIADES NATURE OF LOVE

1.True love goes beyond physical attraction

Alcibiades explains his attempts to seduce Socrates expectation that his physical beauty
would win Socrates’ affection, however Socrates does not respond to these advances because
he values something much more than the physical beauty which is wisdom and virtue.
Socrates thus raises the idea that the true love about satisfying the physical desires but
elevating the soul, seeking moral and intellectual improvement.

2.Love as expression of importance of emotional vulnerability

Alcibiades brings up of his emotional turmoil confessing his frustration regarding his feeling
for Socrates, he expresses honesty about his failed attempt to seduce Socrates and his
admiration for Socrates wisdom which took him feel vulnerable. This emotional honesty is
important as it allows deeper self-reflection.

3.love as desire and Ambition

Alcibiades love is described as powerful desire that drives individuals seek beauty and
excellence stressing that this desire can lead them to pursue relationships with those they
admire. For Alcibiades, love can also inspire ambition and zeal for greatness as he

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demonstrates in his pursuit of Socrates whom he idolizes not only for his physical beauty but
more important for his moral intellectual and moral virtues.

4.Wisdom and virtue are greater than wealth

Alcibiades learned from Socrates that what truly matters is wisdom and virtue(qualities that
enhance the soul and lead to lasting fulfillment).This is so by the fact that despite Alcibiades
being attractive and praising Socrates physical admiration, Socrates was entirely unimpressed
by these superficial qualities

5.Love leads to success through self-control and discipline

Alcibiades is amazed by Socrates’ incredible self-control and discipline as he describes how


Socrates remains unmoved by physical temptation and withstand extreme hardships minus
complaints. He explains that during military campaigns, Socrates stands calm though under
pressure and his ability to maintain focus on higher goals such as wisdom and virtue rather
than bodily desires or discomforts.

6.Love as the transformative force

Alcibiades portrays love as transformative force that has the potential to change individuals.
This is when his admiration for Socrates inspired him to strive for virtue and wisdom
elastration how love can lead to personal growth and self-improvement. The transformative
aspect also emphasizes that love, particularly when directed towards the goodness, can
elevate one’s character and guide individuals toward greater ethical living.

7.Love as a Humiliation

Alcibiades portray love as humiliation in the when it fails to achieve it purpose. It brings the
aspect of disappointment. For example, when he sent away his slaves so that he and Socrates
could have time alone, also in instance he invited him to gymnasium to exercise together and
he had hoped it would lead to something but nothing happen. Lastly, he invited him for
dinner and he hoped to spend a night with him which this time he succeeds and Socrates
spent the night in spite of his all efforts of sleeping next to him rapping his harms around him
this hopeless arrogant, this unbelievably insolent man turned him down.

In Conclusion, Alcibiades has personified love that is, he shows how he expresses his love
is towards Socrates unlike other speakers who expressed love as a god, a medical field etc.
Also, love is not merely physical attraction but also is a transformative force that drives an

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individual wisdom and virtues. His speech reveals the complexity of human relationship,
difficult of reconciling physical desire with the pursuit of wisdom which is the higher form of
fulfillment.

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