Platonic Love

Plato (plate in english)

Platonic love is viewed today as a love between two people wherein the sexual element does not enter, especially in cases where the opportunity to have otherwise arises, or where one might easily assume otherwise. A simple example of platonic relationships is a deep, non-sexual friendship between two heterosexual people of the opposite sexes. I guess this is the accepted notion of “Platonic love” because it’s how Wikipedia describe it, along with the other encyclopedia and dictionary sites. But back when I was in highschool and (perhaps) in college, based on how I understood how other’s understood it through their explanations and use of the word (I hope I didn’t misunderstood them as well as cause some misunderstanding between you and me through this highly uncertain understanding of a, perhaps, misunderstood understanding), Platonic love is a form of a hidden desire whereby one or both parties involved find it hard to express their love for another due to reasons common among those hapless and not well inclined in the simple but intricate ways of erogenous love. You know? Those shy introvert types. Also, it could occur to people who have other problems besides it such as those who have a traumatic past related to a declaration of love; or to those who thinks he’s in-love with someone but forgot the feeling of being in-love, then, unknowingly, he falls in-love with another but thinks he’s still in-love with the special someone from before (uggh… strange).

But did you know that, as its name explicitly implies, Platonic love came from Plato’s idea of an ideal love. According to Wikipedia “its origin was that of a chaste but passionate love, based not on uninterest but virtuous restraint of sexual desire.” Plato taught that this form of love can bring the lovers closer to wisdom and the highest form of beauty. He described it as “a form of divine madness that is a gift from the gods, and that its proper expression is rewarded by the gods in the afterlife.” It is the method by which love takes one to the form of beauty and wisdom that is detailed. If so, then perhaps Platonic love is not as miserable and hopeless as we thought it could be. Perhaps, it’s one way to attain enlightenment for the ancient Greeks.

But before we get all that excited about being enlightened in the ways of a “restrained love” and use it as our excuse why we still haven’t forged even a single relationship even at our 40s, first we should look at its historical backdrop before we make hasty decisions and accept it as our dogmatic penchant. First, we have to take note that Plato, as well as the aforementioned Socrates and Ficino, all belong to the community of men who desire boys, and they all engaged in chaste but erotic pedagogic friendships with youths. They loved young boys, and during the ancient times their society tolerated such a practice. It doesn’t take a philosopher to tell that it’s homosexuality. I’m just hoping that the “young boys” don’t get any younger; you know what I mean (smooth criminal). I’m not saying that taking their love for the same sex to another erotic level is evil; but what I’m trying to point out is that maybe Plato’s “ultimate” love doesn’t mean “love with the opposite sex” but more of a repressed erotic desire existing purely in the spiritual level of sort exclusively for the beautiful young men. Remember that during the time of the Greeks, women were not given the same high regards as with men so it’s only logical that the highest of love and sexual desires should be exclusive only for men. Maybe it’s not so much of an ideal enlightening philosophy of love if we’re to think of now, not before. Let’s face it, a lot of cultures and societies are still not in good terms with homosexuality. They laugh at it, even mock it, but discrimination is still rampant. And if you’re not comfortable being called gay, why resort to Plato’s “ideal and ultimate” love.

When you think about it, these must be the reason why a lot of single Pinoy actors and artists are accused of homosexuality. That’s because the public kind of view them as having platonic relationships with the opposite sex and/or with the other beautiful young actors as well.


Tagged as: love, platonic

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