Platonic Love from Antiquity to the Renaissance

Surveys this influential concept from antiquity through medieval theological debates to Renaissance Neoplatonism and etiquette guides.

Carl Séan O'Brien (Edited by), John Dillon (Edited by)

9781108423229, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 September 2022

450 pages
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.3 cm, 0.64 kg

Platonic love is a concept that has profoundly shaped Western literature, philosophy and intellectual history for centuries. First developed in the Symposium and the Phaedrus, it was taken up by subsequent thinkers in antiquity, entered the theological debates of the Middle Ages, and played a key role in the reception of Neoplatonism and the etiquette of romantic relationships during the Italian Renaissance. In this wide-ranging reference work, a leading team of international specialists examines the Platonic distinction between higher and lower forms of eros, the role of the higher form in the ascent of the soul and the concept of Beauty. They also treat the possibilities for friendship and interpersonal love in a Platonic framework, as well as the relationship between love, rhetoric and wisdom. Subsequent developments are explored in Plutarch, Plotinus, Augustine, Pseudo-Dionysius, Eriugena, Aquinas, Ficino, della Mirandola, Castiglione and the contra amorem tradition.

Introduction: platonic love Carl O'Brien, John Dillon
Part I. Love in Plato: 1. Plato on love Vasilis Politis
2. The selfishness of platonic love? Carl O'Brien
3. Love and rhetoric as types of psychagôgia Marina McCoy
4. Plato on the love of wisdom Elisabeth S. Belfiore
Part II. Development of Platonic Love in Antiquity: 5. Plutarch: expanding the horizons of platonic love Frederick E. Brenk
6. Love in Plotinus' thought Dominic J. O'Meara
7. A platonist 'ars amatoria' John Dillon
8. Desire and love in Augustine Jan-Ivar Lindén
Part III. Love and Metaphysics during the Middle Ages: 9. Divine love and platonic beauty in Dionysius the Areopagite Andrew Louth
10. Love in the thought of John Scotus Eriugena Max Rohstock
11. Thomas Aquinas on the connatural, the supernatural, love, and charity Kevin L. Flannery S.J.
Part IV. Platonic Love during the Renaissance: 12. Human and divine love in Marsilio Ficino Paul Richard Blum
13. Marsilio Ficino and Leone Ebreo on beauty Maryanne Cline Horowitz
14. Pico della Mirandola on platonic love John Dillon
15. The Contra-Amorem tradition in the Renaissance W. R. Albury
16. Castiglione and platonic love Reinier Leushuis
17. Platonic love in Renaissance discussions of friendship Marc D. Schachter.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Medieval & Renaissance, c 500 to c 1600 [HPCB], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]