Aristophanes and Robert Solomon: Concept of Love - Report Example

Introduction Robert Solomon was an American philosophy who described the essence of love as reciprocal and desire of response. Cognitive theory of emotions has been developed by Robert Solomon. According to the theory, the emotions of human beings are vulnerable to alteration and rational assessment. The nature of love has also been speculated in philosophical manner by Plato. The term Platonic love is named after the Plato, who described love as non-sexual and chaste. Plato described transformation of erotic love in to friendship can lead to better share of understanding among the people. This essay will compare and contrast the view of Robert Solomon of love with two speeches on love by Plato. Discussion Plato provided philosophical text which is known as symposium. Symposium was dated between 385-380 BC. The pivotal concern of the text is the examination on nature of love. Plato delivered two speeches on love (Moravcsik 66). In general concept, love is only one type which is the feeling of liking someone. Some of the major writings on love by Plato are Phaedrus, Symposium, Alcibiades and Lysis. Plato presented in the Symposium that highest form of love is love of wisdom. The philosophy of love is presented as modification of sexual urges. Wisdom of desire can be attained by sexual urge. Wisdom cannot be pursued by any other distractions and sexual desire of human beings. Wisdom of any individual can be attained by training and desire. The view on love by Plato is to provide the power of philosophy and knowledge to educate. Plato also believed that that lust does exist. Regardless of the fact that, feeling can be gained by liking someone. Lust on someone can be separate from love. According to Plato, the attraction towards the beautiful people is due to attraction of beauty. Robert Solomon is also a philosopher who has written many text and book on love and emotion. The perspective on love is different from that of Plato. Love is pivotal for every people as it open the door of happiness. Language of love can only be understood by people from inside of their heart. The feeling is quite different than that of nature of love. According to Robert Solomon, the feeling of love can be desired by reciprocal. Plato do said that lust exists and people can fall in love by attraction. Plato also said happiness and love is totally different. Robert Solomon said that door of happiness can be opened by love. Love and happiness is both interconnected with each other. Robert Solomon puts more focus on emotional process of love. Plato focuses on both emotional process of love and also temporary feeling. Solomon also described the initial stages of love. Chosen lover goes through different challenges. The challenges and excitement of coordination of two people can create romantic love. The view Plato on love is based on the mediation of Socrates. Plato broke love in to heavenly and common love (Staehler 9). Common love can be normal attraction and feeling of desire between man and woman to fulfill the sexual desire. Heavenly love comes from within the soul rather than looking at physical appearance. Strong force can attract both people to fall in love. Common love or lust is regarded by Plato as filthy sin. The desire of physical body rather than attraction comes from soul produce robust sexual attraction. Robert Solomon refused to provide any answer on sexual attraction. Physical beauty can create strong sexual attraction is avoided by Robert Solomon. But on the other side, Plato described common and heavenly love. The beneficiary and deleterious aspects of both love is described effectively in Plato speeches on love. Robert Solomon described love as fundamental part of happiness and it emanates from inside. Aristophanes was famous Greek dramatist. The speech of Aristophanes was about tale for 3 sexes. Aristophanes described in the speech that there is existence of love which helps to connect people. Tale of 3 sexes such as female, males and combination of both sexes have been described in the speech of Aristophanes. From the beginning, the shave of human being have been discussed by Aristophanes. The fantasy, slogans, myths are regarded as least observatory factors for the creation of feeling and love. The fate of feeling and love comes from inside the heart. Aristophanes also described love as the source for desire of human beings. Love can help to fulfill the desire and pursuit of wholeness (Keller 52). Aristophanes discussed the importance of love which makes people to draw towards their own belongings. According to Robert Solomon, love world consist of internal dynamics, vital rituals and rules. Love is described as mystery. It not only comes from trust and attraction but also comes from doubt and suspicion. Robert Solomon criticized Aristophanes by revealing that love is the share of emotion and feeling between two lovers (Inwood 7). According to Robert Solomon, the rational thinking is the part of emotions. Aristophanes described that rational thought and emotions are both opposite factor. Solomon also said that people falling in love can be by choice. Robert Solomon criticized the view on love by Aristophanes. Aristophanes talked about all gods. The nature of love cannot be understood after knowing the beginning of human beings. But according to Robert Solomon the nature of love comes within the heart. This resembles the fact that people can fall in love despite knowing the beginning and past nature of human beings. The joyful quest of wisdom of love have been destroyed and desiccated by Aristophanes. Religion has not been the pivotal repellent factor for love. Love is described as a language which can only be understood by people who speaks the same language. Robert Solomon said that every emotions in our heart can be created be created due to wrong or good reasons. Emotions are described as part of human being which provides a way to see world. It is the form of intelligence which is same as love. Love is the same like that of all emotions of human beings. Love can help people to build their life together to maintain sustainable and happiness on future. Robert Solomon said that love is not always thinking about sex, first kiss and embrace. Love is imperative for every living being. Love creates positive emotions and is universal feeling that exceeds all the boundaries by providing strength and courage to make people stronger. The power of love can encourage people to do things with fate of feelings and emotions. Robert Solomon also described love as an emotional process. Love is not a temporary feeling. Love sustain in individual for long time. Depending upon the limit of love, the feeling of individuals can sustain for long time (Hurston 32). Love can create sense of togetherness for lifetime and changing the dynamic and tension of life. Happiness can enrich people to be successful in their lives. Love is the only medicine that can bring happiness in lives and help to complete the desire on quest of wholeness. Conclusion The love can be infatuation and excitement of meeting attractive people. Infatuation is totally different form love. According to Robert Solomon, sex comes between the others sorts and romantic love. Robert Solomon described that romantic loves requires sexual experience. Sexual attraction comes due to insight of physical beauty. Aristophanes and Robert Solomon both have different view on love which can help people to bring together. Love can act as healer and helper for human beings. Every impeccable relationship requires perfect love. Love can bring happiness and harmony.The most essential direct route for getting desired love is philosophy. Works Cited Hurston, Zora. Their Eyes were Watching God. London: Routledge, 2009. Print. Inwood, Brad. Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy. Stamford: Cengage Learning, 2012. Print. Keller, Timothy. The Meaning of Marriage. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. Print. Moravcsik, John. Pattern’s in Plato’s Thought. New York: Springer, 2003. Print. Staehler, Tanja. Plato and Levinas. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Print. Read More