Eros in Philosophy (Research Paper Sample)

TOPIC: EROS IN PHILOSOPHY
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Eros in Philosophy
Eros is derived from the Ancient Greek word érōs which means love or desire. It is an ancient Greek philosophical notion that refers to sensual or passionate love, from which the term erotic is derived. Eros has also been used in a broader sense in philosophy and psychology nearly as a synonym for "life energy" and is one of the four ancient Greek words for love in Christianity, according to Protestant author C. S. Lewis, alongside storge, philia, and agape (Lewis 6). There are different definitions of eros and its understanding which has led to debates and questions on what eros should truly be defines as. Different philosophers like Plato, Socrates, Sigmund Freud, Aristotle and others have given their definitions and understanding of eros which will be discussed at length. In all these definitions, we find out that love has a great and deeper analysis that our actual thinking. There is also the modern understanding of eros which assumes that eros is primarily a sexual desire and passion towards another person; commonly known as romantic love. However, it should be our greatest desire or love to attain greater things by form of reason as brought out by different philosophers. Our aim is to get an insight on the philosophical view of eros and understand how it should guide us in the modern society.
Plato was the first philosopher to give his definition and understanding of eros or love. At its core, Plato's doctrine of eros suggests that each life is motivated by a strong desire for something both beautiful and less time-bound than itself. Most people associate eros with sexual love and the extension of a finite life through progeny. Plato argues in his book, The Symposium that there is also an ascending order of eros objects, which includes not only beautiful bodies but also beautiful souls, as well as laws, institutions, and practices that are beautiful in their own right (218a). Given everything it contains, this ascending hierarchy becomes increasingly abstract and less time-bound. At its apex is the concept of the good itself. The realization of a vision of the good is the ultimate purpose and fulfillment of a human life, yet it is strongly advised that the content of that vision is beyond the power of words to communicate. Thus, Plato basically hold a common desire that seeks transcendental beauty which reminds us of the true beauty that exists in the world of forms or ideas (Phaedrus 249E).
Socrates, a student of Plato, had a different view on what eros was. It has been suggested that Plato appears to be pointing upward to an idea while Aristotle looks to be pointing downward to a fact in Raphael's painting of the School of Athens. Socrates argues that desire depends entirely on lack and thus eros does not have ‘objects’ as suggested by Plato. It is true that, while Plato's concept of the soul's primary activity was with abstract ideas, his pupil had a quite different view of the soul's role. He gave perception a much higher priority as the means by which humans gain access to it. It is good to note that Socrates deeply seeks the integral parts of the nature of eros; which he called “parents of eros” in The Symposium (Socrates 221d). He identifies poverty and resource as the parents of eros as they form the integral part of the nature of eros.
The religious view of eros which at some point opposes the philosopher’s views suggests the unending love of a supernatural being on humans. Christians would talk about the love of Jesus for mankind and how he died on the cross because of their sins. This portrays that they should also extend that love to other people by helping them in any way possible. It also talks about the physical and sensual intimacy between a husband and wife as they believe God uses the relationship of marriage as an illustration of the relationship he has with people (Hebrews 13:4). The Muslims talk of the love of Allah on mankind and how he saves believers. About marriage and intimacy, they encourage polygamous marriage of up to four wives. This is to show that men’s rom