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The Symposium

By Plato
4.09 goodreads logo

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( 86,986 ratings, 4,554 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Symposium by Plato is a philosophical text that explores the nature and purpose of love through a series of speeches at a banquet. The characters, including Socrates, discuss differing perspectives on love, touching upon themes of beauty, desire, and the divine. This dialogue serves as an influential exploration of the philosophical ideals of love in Ancient Greece.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This classic work might appeal to you if you're intrigued by philosophical discussions on love, and enjoy exploring profound ideas through engaging dialogues. Ideal for readers who appreciate ancient Greek philosophy and are interested in the interplay between psychology and human emotions.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives and destroyed them.

Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilisation and helped make us who we are. Plato's retelling of the discourses between Socrates and his friends on such subjects as love and desire, truth and illusion, spiritual transcendence, and the qualities of a good ruler profoundly affected the ways in which we view human relationships, society and leadership. It shaped the whole tradition of Western philosophy.

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Symposium by Plato is often praised for its profound exploration of love through a series of speeches, each providing a different perspective on the nature of love and beauty. Readers and scholars commend its literary elegance and philosophical depth, appreciating its blend of humour and profundity. It is considered both a foundational text in Western philosophy and a compelling read due to its engaging dialogue and enduring themes.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141023847

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 August 2005

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 7.0mm

Width: 110.0mm

Height: 181.0mm

Weight: 82g

Pages: 128

About the Author

Plato (c.427-347 BC) stands with Socrates and Aristotle as one of the founders of the Western intellectual tradition. Inspired by Socrates' teaching, Plato sought a cure for the ills of society not in politics but in philosophy, and in the early fourth century BC he founded the Academy in Athens, the first permanent institution devoted to philosophical research and teaching. He wrote over twenty philosophical dialogues.

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