Single Idea 5846

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / F. Life Issues / 5. Sexual Morality]

Full Idea

The fact that a lover uses not force but persuasion makes him more detestable, because a lover who uses force proves himself a villain, but one who uses persuasion ruins the character of the one who consents.

Gist of Idea

A lover using force is a villain, but a seducer is much worse, because he corrupts character

Source

report of Socrates (reports of career [c.420 BCE]) by Xenophon - Symposium 8.20

Book Reference

Xenophon: 'Conversations of Socrates', ed/tr. Waterfield,R/Tredennick,H. [Penguin 1990], p.260


A Reaction

A footnote says that this distinction was enshrined in Athenian law, where seduction was worse than rape. This is a startling and interest contrast to the modern view, which enshrines rights and freedoms, and says seduction is usually no crime at all.