Unlike romantic love, in platonic love, you feel attracted by their inner self, personality, and character. They did it for tax and insurance purposes. All the surprises in the world could pop up, but this relationship may stay the same. So you let them go, in the hope that once their new relationship is established, you can reconnect with each other. According to Plato, there are different stages of appreciation and love that a person must go through if he feels inclined to experience the ultimate and divine love, named ‘The Beautiful’. In the end, you know it’s in their best interest to learn how to budget and take responsibility for their finances. Recognizing and respecting those differences will bring us closer to Plato’s initial ideal of platonic love – one that raises us up and anchors us throughout life. However, this isn’t the answer people are looking for; especially at a time when relationships, and power structures, are changing and are in dire need of boundaries. Platonic love is rare, hardly known or acknowledged amidst the … You aren’t an item, so the stakes aren’t as high. We expect a lot from our romantic partners because with every person you date, you’re potentially interviewing them for the role of life partner, or spouse. In this sense, it most often refers to a heterosexual relationship. Why am I demanding this from this person? Should You Wait For Someone You Love? Platonic love or platonic relationship means a close relationship between two people that is not romantic. In the modern world, people say that somebody loves another person platonically meaning that these two are close emotionally. Platonic love, a phrase used in two senses, with allusion in both cases to Plato’s account of love in his Symposium. When we use it, we’re usually talking about a kind of non-sexual, non-romantic love between two friends. Platonic relationships generally involve a deep friendship of non-sexual nature among two heterosexual individuals who may or may not be of the opposite sex. For example, when you travel together – do you share a room? ‘platonic love’ ‘Modern readers continue to debate whether the poems express platonic friendship or sexual love.’ ‘Have you had a platonic friendship that crossed the line and became romantic or sexual?’ ‘It is a purely platonic friendship, we are good company for each other.’ In its crudest form, love for a beautiful person is really a passion to beget offspring by that person and so to attain, by the perpetuation of one’s stock, the substitute for immortality which is all the body can achieve. Omissions? Even though it’s called “platonic,” which links it to Plato’s philosophies, you’ll see in this article that this wasn’t exactly what his idea of love was. Initially, Plato’s dialogue was directed toward same-sex relationships, sexual, and otherwise, but by the Renaissance, platonic love had come to encompass the non-sexual, heterosexual relationships we know today. If you start to notice that they are coming first, or that you’re often disappointed by their behavior because they aren’t living up to your expectations, you may need to step back and ask yourself: are romantic feelings creeping in? But what do we mean when we say “platonic friends” or talk about “platonic love”? For modern humans, platonic love is the way we understand friendships that are not romantic. In many cases, that person can end up being someone you’d go to the moon and back for, but just have no romantic interest in, or attraction to, in a sexual way. 2 Corrections? If it drives a wedge between you temporarily – or even permanently – you still do it because you want what is best for them. Platonic love Plato said that love of wisdom was the most perfect and purest concept of love. This little four-letter word called “love” is one of the most difficult emotions to explain in words; a feeling that has engulfed the … This page contains affiliate links. Platonic love is understood as a distance love, based on fantasy and idealization , where the object of love is the perfect being, which possesses all … Thus, in common speech, platonic love means a supremely affectionate relationship between human beings in which sexual intercourse is neither desired nor practiced. Platonic love is one of the types of love that is close, but not interchangeable with the love that exists in a romantic partnership. Keep your relationship honest, respect each other’s boundaries, let go of expectations, and do what’s best for them. The immediate object of the Symposium—which professes to record the discourses made in eulogy of Eros by a group of eminent speakers at a banquet in honour of the tragic poet Agathon—is to find the highest manifestation of the love which controls the world in the mystic aspiration after union with the eternal and supercosmic beauty. Your gut is often the best indicator of what constitutes crossing the line, and what is acceptable. It’s not always true that … You can get insights and perspectives you wouldn’t be able to get from your romantic partner. In the Middle Ages arose a new interest in Plato, his philosophy and his view of love. At some point, one or … In the philosophic understanding, platonic love is a feeling strong yet pure from any carnal attraction or desires. Platonic love is a special emotional and spiritual relationship between two people who love and admire one another because of common interests, … It wants what is best for the partnership … All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Privacy Policy, 4 Characteristics Of Platonic Love: A Relationship Of A Different Kind, 10 Ways To Turn Casual Friends Into Best Friends, Kindred Spirits: What It Means To Have This Kind Of Connection. They refer to the special bond of affection between two men Plato had highlighted in a dialogue, and exemplified by the affection between Socrates and his young male pupils, in particular to the one between Socrates and Alcibiades. Remembering these three key things will go a long way to a healthy, and happy relationship. A secondary meaning that also stems from the name of the philosopher describes something (such as feelings or a relationship) that is characterized by an absence of romance or sex (a platonic relationship in this sense might simply be called a friendship). Meaning of platonic love. Often, we think of the type of love that two friends have who are the same gender. Love is multi-faceted and comes in many forms: parental, filial, romantic, and platonic. From the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century, the term platonic love was also used as an occasional euphemism for homosexual love, in view of the comparatively tolerant attitude to such love discernible in Plato as well as in other Greek authors. Romantic love is, in part, selfish. The term is named after the philosopher Plato, although the philosopher never used the term himself. This is especially true once the first flush of love has faded, the butterflies are gone, and you’ve settled into a comfortable pattern together. It explains the possibilities of how the feeling of love began, and how it has evolved – both sexually and non-sexually. Platonic love can tell it like it is, and can take the lumps a romantic relationship cannot because it’s not as complicated when you’re not busy trying to keep up appearances and impress someone. Platonic relationships require (especially in the beginning) strong boundaries. The term Platonic love is named after ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher Plato, who first tried to explain this form of love. Is It Worth It? The centre of philosophical interest lies in the discourse of Socrates, which he professes to have learned from the priestess Diotima of Mantinea. For example, you might have helped them out with money a few times, but you know that they are still not being frugal. – Plato. 6 Signs You Are + How Not To, © Copyright A Conscious Rethink. If your significant other has a platonic BFF, how would that play out for you? Both expressions signify a love focused on the beauty of a person's character and intelligence rather than on their physical charms. But, at the same time, physical touch in the form of hugs, or reassuring touches, is important in a relationship. You aren’t putting them first, in the way you would if you were romantically involved. The Symposium depicts Socrates as the type of the aspirant who has reached the goal of union and sets in sharp opposition to him the figure of Alcibiades, who has sold his spiritual birthright for the pleasures and ambitions of the world. What does platonic love mean? Neither family, nor privilege, nor wealth, nor anything but Love can light that beacon which a man must steer by when he sets out to live the better life. Platonic Love Is Selfless. You can talk openly about your dating troubles, and share your personal gaffes without worrying about how it makes you look. It brought about the best in both people. In our secular world, a platonic relationship has basically become code for “we’re just friends” (minus the benefits). Instead, it was a love that inspired nobler pursuits, and brought one closer to the divine. They can provide fulfilling, lifelong friendships, offer us refreshing perspectives, and a much needed outlet to let off steam, and let it all hang out. You can have a fight, not speak for a month, then patch things up, and things will pretty much go back to normal. A more spiritual form of the same craving for eternity is the aspiration to win immortal fame by combining with a kindred soul to give birth to sound institutions and rules of life. Or perhaps you realize that your presence is having a detrimental effect on the other person. If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, they'd describe their friendship as platonic. Platonic love can be sturdy, unwavering, and unfazed. On Ficin… It is a space where jealousy doesn’t rear its ugly head, and hidden agendas and unrequited love are left at the door. So you say no the next time they ask and you stand firm even if it causes an argument. There isn’t the same caution, or need to check in with the other person emotionally. We are less forgiving of mistakes in romantic relationships, and in a sense, that’s a good thing; we need to be picky when it comes to investing that kind of time in a lifelong companion. “Wither thou goest, I will go; thy people shall by my people; where thou diest, will I die, and there I be … It may take a lot to shake up a platonic relationship. This doesn’t mean that you don’t consider other people’s feelings outside of your own or your romantic partner’s, but there is a different level of consideration we go to when we have a romantic end game in mind. This is just the truth sometimes. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The term amor platonicus was coined as early as the 15th Century by the Florentine scholar Marsilio Ficino as a synonym for amor socraticus. That act is selfless in the sense that you will not gain anything from it, but you do it in the hope that your platonic friend will get some benefit. These acts might appear selfless on the surface because you may do something for the benefit of your partner. Romantic love is, in part, selfish. If a guy and a girl hang out all the time but aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, they'd describe their friendship as platonic. You get to go home at the end of the night and not worry about what that person is doing, who they’re with, whether they paid the electric bill, ate the dinner you left in the fridge, or hung the laundry to dry. Platonic love requires a lot of trust. Plato’s Symposium is a Classical text on the meaning of Love. In Plato’s Symposium, guests at a banquet take turns giving speeches in honor of the god Eros and debating the true meaning of love. I thought i was in love with someone some 20 years back. Many people believe it is, and that little is possible without love as a motivator. A feeling of familiarity with another. I receive a commission if you choose to purchase anything after clicking on them. Plato wrote about love in his work, the Symposium, a dialogue where the guests of a banquet each gave speeches in honor of the god Eros and debated the true meaning of love. Still more spiritual is the endeavour, in association with chosen minds, to enrich philosophy and science with noble discourses and thoughts. In this sense, it most often refers to a heterosexual relationship. They simply don’t come first. A simple way to sum it up would be: be a good friend, full stop. The meaning of platonic love describes what it feels like pretty well. Platonic love will always be a part of the human condition – we award different values to every person we meet, and we love each one in a unique way. You may worry about them if they’ve been going through a difficult time, as naturally good friends do, but you’re not as invested in their day-to-day meanderings and external relationships. Maybe you are acting as a crutch for them to lean on so that they don’t have to address their issues. Plato defined platonic love as the kind of love that motivates us to become better versions of ourselves, inspiring us to pursue greater goals, and bringing us closer to enlightenment or the divine. Originally, Platonic love was love that was not vulgar, meaning it wasn’t centered on lust or fulfilling carnal needs. Watch this video to understand the same. A deep love that is between a male and a female, without the element of sexual attraction. For many people, platonic love is not what you think about when you consider the opposite sex because feelings like attraction or sexual chemistry get in the way. The term platonic love originally comes from philosopher Plato who described his notion of love in his famous text ‘The Symposium”. Is love the guiding light to a better life? However, these days the term “platonic relationship” is usually … What does a modern, healthy platonic relationship look like, and how do we keep it that way? Plato’s theory of love is fleshed out in the Phaedrus and the Symposium. It refined and ennobled them. Over time, the concept of ‘platonic love’ evolved to its other definition of unattainable love. This was caused by Georgios Gemistos Plethon during the Councils of Ferrara and Firenze in 1438–1439. A romantic relationship is less like a rock, and more like a flower. The love between friends is platonic love. 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