Symposium

Symposium is one of Plato’s most celebrated works of ancient Greek philosophy, exploring the nature of love, beauty, desire, and the pursuit of truth. Written as a philosophical dialogue set at a banquet in Athens, the book features a series of speeches by notable figures—including Socrates—each offering a distinct perspective on love (Eros).

Through wit, storytelling, and philosophical depth, Plato examines love as both a human passion and a pathway to wisdom and virtue. The dialogue culminates in Socrates’ profound account of love as a force that leads the soul from physical attraction to the contemplation of eternal beauty and truth.

Essential reading for students and lovers of philosophy, classical literature, and Western thought, Symposium has profoundly influenced discussions of ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and human relationships for over two millennia. Its insights remain strikingly relevant to modern readers interested in philosophy of love, moral development, and the meaning of a fulfilled life.

Whether read for academic study or personal reflection, Symposium stands as a timeless masterpiece of classical philosophy, blending literary elegance with enduring philosophical insight.

Why Read Symposium

A foundational text of Western philosophy

Explores love, beauty, and human desire

Features Socrates and classic Platonic dialogue

Influential in philosophy, literature, and psychology

Ideal for students, scholars, and general readers