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Another Platonic dialogue presented in the Students’ Edition Series, this dialogue is one of the literary masterpieces of the world and a philosophic treatise which has few equals. In this translation by Floyer Sydenham and extensively revised by Thomas Taylor the profundities of Plato's mystical system are faithfully transmitted to the reader. The student will find a treasury of notes concerning the background to the dialogue as well as the mystical symbolism hidden within it. Approximate Stephanus line numbering accompanies the text.
No translator so deeply imbibed the spirit of Plato as did Thomas Taylor, and his beautiful Poetical Paraphrase of Diotima's Speech is included here. Plotinus' Ennead (III, 5) On Love, translated by Stephen Mackenna is included, as are four modern essays which it is hoped will throw further light upon this all important dialogue: Tim Addey contributes Diotima's Continuum of Love, Socrates the Lover and The Place of the Symposium in the Writings of Plato, while Guy Wyndham-Jones contributes The Beauty of Truth.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading Plato's "Symposium." Initially, I anticipated that the book would be quite challenging to navigate, given its historical context, but I was pleasantly surprised by its engaging and accessible nature. My edition of the book came equipped with insightful notes that greatly aided my understanding and made the reading experience all the more enriching.Unexpectedly, I discovered that the text had a open exploration of same-sex love. This added a fascinating layer to the narrative and expanded the scope of the themes being discussed. The highlight for me was the concluding segment, where Alcibiades, drunk, expresses his emotions for Socrates, who seems to have placed him in the "friendzone." This scene was hilarious, adding a humanizing touch to the philosophical discussions.Upon reflection, one of the central takeaways from the book is the varied perspectives on love. While some viewpoints emphasize romantic relationships, particularly between individuals of the same gender, the underlying essence of love emerges as a profound connection with knowledge. It becomes evident that the true essence of love aligns with a passion for wisdom and intellectual exploration, essentially synonymous with the love of philosophy.