Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Aristotelian v.s. Platonic Love

Aristotelian love is that conception of love to which love of another human being (I) stems from a fundamental completeness of person - an achieved moral character and its consequence, an authentic self-love; and (II) is aimed at a heightened, and joyous, self-experience, as an end in itself, not a means to some greater end - because there is no greater end for a human being than his own happiness of earth, and such life is a source of profound happiness. 

Platonic love is that conception of love according to which love of another human being (I) stems from a fundamental incompleteness of person, and (II) is aimed at some higher goal and value beyond the love relationship itself, through which the desired completeness is approached. 

6 key aspects of the Aristotelian alternative to Platonic love:

1. There is nothing higher or more real than the individual. 
2. Completeness of character (moral perfection) is possible. 
3. Humans can achieve full virtues. 
4. Humans take pride in this and this is profoundly good. 
5. Love for others is an expression of love for self. 
6. Love is an end in itself. 

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