Plato and the love of learning

Bibliographic Data

ID15542805
AuthorsGeoffrey Hinchliffe (0000-0003-4855-0864, University of East Anglia, corresponding author)
Year2006
Volume1
Issue2
Pages117-131
Publication date2006-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEthics and Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-9642 • E-ISSN: 1744-9650
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17449640600950733
OpenAlexW2050098000
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited7

This paper explores the relation between love, learning and knowledge as found in three dialogues of Plato, Symposium, Phaedrus and Republic. It argues that the account of the ascent from carnal desire to the love of beauty, as set out in the Symposium, is best seen in terms of a genealogy of love in which the object of love is transformed into an object of knowledge. The Phaedrus shows us how affection and love between two individuals can help motivate a love of learning. The Republic demonstrates the value of knowledge through the distinction between knowledge and opinion (or received belief). A love of learning is, therefore, driven by that which is genuinely valuable and worthy of love. Plato helps us today in two respects: first, he reminds us that learning can (and for him, must) have an affective quality. Second, he reminds that the value of learning is related to the knowledge and insight it yields

Aesthetics · Affection · Beauty · Epistemology · Object (grammar · Philosophy of love · Relation (database · Set (abstract data type · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Computer Science · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · Medieval Philosophy and Theology · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

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