Ideas from 'The Symposium' by Plato [384 BCE], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Complete Works' by Plato (ed/tr Cooper,John M.) [Hackett 1997,0-87220-349-2]].

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1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom
The finest branch of wisdom is justice and moderation in ordering states and families
8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / a. Platonic Forms
Diotima said the Forms are the objects of desire in philosophical discourse [Roochnik]
13. Knowledge Criteria / A. Justification Problems / 1. Justification / b. Need for justification
True opinion without reason is midway between wisdom and ignorance
16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 1. Self as Indeterminate
Only the gods stay unchanged; we replace our losses with similar acquisitions
We call a person the same throughout life, but all their attributes change
21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 4. Beauty
Beauty is harmony with what is divine, and ugliness is lack of such harmony
Love of ugliness is impossible
Beauty and goodness are the same
21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 5. Natural Beauty
Progress goes from physical beauty, to moral beauty, to the beauty of knowledge, and reaches absolute beauty
Stage two is the realisation that beauty of soul is of more value than beauty of body
21. Aesthetics / B. Nature of Art / 8. The Arts / a. Music
Music is a knowledge of love in the realm of harmony and rhythm
22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love
Love is desire for perpetual possession of the good
Love assists men in achieving merit and happiness
Love follows beauty, wisdom is exceptionally beautiful, so love follows wisdom
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / d. Good as virtue
If a person is good they will automatically become happy
22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / b. Eudaimonia
Happiness is secure enjoyment of what is good and beautiful
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue
The only slavery which is not dishonourable is slavery to excellence
The first step on the right path is the contemplation of physical beauty when young
28. God / A. Divine Nature / 3. Divine Perfections
Gods are not lovers of wisdom, because they are already wise