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Single Idea 181
[filed under theme 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 1. Self as Indeterminate
]
Full Idea
We retain identity not by staying the same (the preserve of gods) but by replacing losses with new similar acquisitions.
Gist of Idea
Only the gods stay unchanged; we replace our losses with similar acquisitions
Source
Plato (The Symposium [c.384 BCE], 208b)
Book Ref
Plato: 'The Symposium', ed/tr. Hamilton,W [Penguin 1951], p.89
A Reaction
Any modern student of personal identity should be intrigued by this remark! It appears to take a rather physical view of the matter, and to be aware of human biology as a process. Are my continuing desires token-identical, or just 'similar'?
The
19 ideas
from 'The Symposium'
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14177
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Love assists men in achieving merit and happiness
[Plato]
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170
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The only slavery which is not dishonourable is slavery to excellence
[Plato]
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171
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Music is a knowledge of love in the realm of harmony and rhythm
[Plato]
|
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172
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Love of ugliness is impossible
[Plato]
|
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173
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Beauty and goodness are the same
[Plato]
|
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174
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True opinion without reason is midway between wisdom and ignorance
[Plato]
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14178
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Happiness is secure enjoyment of what is good and beautiful
[Plato]
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175
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Gods are not lovers of wisdom, because they are already wise
[Plato]
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176
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Love follows beauty, wisdom is exceptionally beautiful, so love follows wisdom
[Plato]
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177
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If a person is good they will automatically become happy
[Plato]
|
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179
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Love is desire for perpetual possession of the good
[Plato]
|
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4026
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Beauty is harmony with what is divine, and ugliness is lack of such harmony
[Plato]
|
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180
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We call a person the same throughout life, but all their attributes change
[Plato]
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181
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Only the gods stay unchanged; we replace our losses with similar acquisitions
[Plato]
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14179
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The finest branch of wisdom is justice and moderation in ordering states and families
[Plato]
|
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182
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The first step on the right path is the contemplation of physical beauty when young
[Plato]
|
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1607
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Diotima said the Forms are the objects of desire in philosophical discourse
[Plato, by Roochnik]
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183
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Stage two is the realisation that beauty of soul is of more value than beauty of body
[Plato]
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184
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Progress goes from physical beauty, to moral beauty, to the beauty of knowledge, and reaches absolute beauty
[Plato]
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