Plato discusses love (eros) and friendship (philia) mostly in two dialogues, brand new Lysis in addition to Symposium, even though the Phaedrus in addition to adds significantly so you’re able to his opinions. Within the for every really works, Socrates as the quintessential philosopher is in two indicates center stage, basic, just like the an enthusiast of facts (sophia) and discussion (logos), and, second, since the himself an inverter or disturber of erotic norms. Platos viewpoints for the like is actually a reflection towards Socrates as well as the electricity his philosophical discussions need certainly to mesmerize, obsess, and you can educate.
Actually, the fresh new claim is actually an effective nontrivial play on words triggerred from the undeniable fact that the new noun eros (“love”) and also the verb erotan (“to ask questions”) sound as if they are etymologically connected-a connection clearly rooked regarding Cratylus (398c5-e5)
With what employs, part step 1 works together the brand new Lysis and you may Symposium. Areas 24 mainly to the Symposium by yourself. Section 5 works together the latest Phaedrus. Point six on the closing area of the Symposium sufficient reason for components of this new Ion, Protagoras, and you may Laws. Parts are not thinking-contained, although not, and so are supposed to be read sequentially. Extremely students concur that the order away from composition of your “erotic” dialogues are Lysis, Symposium, Phaedrus, even though some put the Phaedrus sooner than the new Symposium.
“The one thing We state I understand,” Socrates confides in us in the Symposium, “is the art off love (ta erotika) (177d89). Drawn literally, it is an unbelievable claim. Are we really to think that the child who affirms when towards trial getting their existence which he understands himself getting wise “inside the none good neither a small way” (Apology 21b45) knows the art of love? Socrates is aware of the ability of like for the reason that-but just insofar because the-he is able to inquire, tips converse elenctically.
Exactly how far that is, we discover about Lysis, where Socrates helps make an identical allege. Hippothales, instance Socrates, enjoys stunning males and you may philosophical talks (203b6204a3). But he doesn’t be aware of the art from love thereby 
will not can correspond with Lysis-brand new son with just who he is in love. What Hippothales do try play eulogies so you’re able to Lysis, and therefore, Socrates contends, zero competent mate perform actually create. To possess in the event your fit performs “that which you youve said and you can sung looks like to eulogize yourself due to the fact victor into the which have acquired like a sweetheart,” however if it fails, up coming “the more your own compliment out of his beauty and you may god, the greater you are going to seem to have missing and also the so much more you are ridiculed.” For that reason, some body “who is wise on the art out-of like (ta erotika) doesnt praise his beloved up to he has him: the guy concerns how coming may begin away” (205e2206a2). Sure, Hippothales requires Socrates to tell your “exactly what some body is state otherwise do in order to rating his potential sweetheart to enjoy him?” (206c13). Like in the fresh new Symposium, Socrates is actually uncharacteristically imminent: “if youre ready to has actually him chat to myself, I would personally have the ability to leave you a demonstration from just how to keep a dialogue which have your” (c46). What follows is an enthusiastic elenctic examination of Lysis. Socrates sessions crazy, we would infer, was elenctic instruction-coaching in the way to inquire of and respond to questions.
However in the entire framework of one’s Lysis, where like is a wants and you will attention is a void, it’s a lot more
At the end of the fresh examination, Socrates characterizes what he’s got done: “This is one way you ought to confer with your men, Hippothales, making them very humble and you may drawing-in their sails, rather than lump him or her up and spoiling her or him, because you manage” (210e25). It sounds simply chastening lay like that. It is one step from the production of brand new canonical mate-the brand new philosopher: