Description
Book SynopsisErôs, Song and Philosophy in Plato raises critical issues regarding conceptions of how song and philosophy in erotic contexts are treated by Plato in his attempt to rewrite, to some degree, the cultural tradition. A question that seems to be repeatedly raised throughout the Platonic dialogues is why it is precisely song that needs to be put aside before we can start doing philosophy as a more serious and perfect kind of song. Extensive discussion of this key thematic cluster with an emphasis on the concept of beauty, which is harmoniously interwoven with erôs and song, has been absent. Chara Kokkiou argues that there is a constant interplay among erotic, musical-poetic and spatial motifs and the way those are incorporated into the very essence of philosophical dialectic is indicative of the unique nature of Plato's philosophy. Her analysis centers on paiderastic and mousikos erôs, which, if thoroughly purified, contribute significantly to the composition of Socrates' portrait as mo
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Paths to Wisdom
Chapter 2: Erotic Madness and Inappropriate Praise
Chapter 3: Speaking Versus Singing. Philosophy as a Performing Art
Chapter 4: Philosophy as an Exercise in Cultural Memory
Chapter 5: Envisaging Plato’s Fragmented Muse of Philosophy
Chapter 6: Encore! Instead of a Conclusion
