Plato’s Phaedrus, on Love: Part 1 of 2
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Socrates, generally a city man, sets foot into the countryside to enjoy a few speeches on love. One of his speeches shames him, and he must make good by delivering an even better one—culminating in Plato's most inspired myth: the soul as a charioteer guiding two winged horses toward the heavens.
The Phaedrus is among Plato's most masterful works. Since it is rather long we are covering the reading over two separate discussions.
Have you ever held your head above the heavens?
We'll discuss:
- The countryside walk & speeches on eros
- Socrates' recantation after his shameful first speech
- The famous chariot allegory of the soul, divine madness, and love's ascent
• TEXT:
-https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1636/1636h/1636-h.htm. (skip the intro)
or: https://faculty.georgetown.edu/jod/texts/phaedrus.html
• Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgemcRJ9R_w
Please read the first part of the dialogue, ending around Section 260: "Shall we discuss the rules of writing" or after the prayer to Eros at the conclusion of Socrates second speech
Next week will be part two.
Optional media:
- Digital Dialogues podcast (http://www.cplong.org/2012/01/digital_dialogue_53_pindar_and_the_phaedrus/)
- Plato's World Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91pIAkaar_A&t=4s