Diotima was the muse from whom Socrates reputedly learned some deeper ideas about love as well as other wisdom. Naturally, Socrates had deep respect for her. It is both this relationship between Socrates and Diotima, and the ideas of love Diotima talked about that are the literary origin of the idea of Platonic love. ("Platonic" because it was Plato who wrote about this relationship, as well as most of the known episodes about Socrates.)
For Socrates, neither of these relationships were complete.
I have thought about Socrates almost all my life, and have extracted and developed the fundamental idea with which I wish to guide all aspects of my thoughts and action. That idea may be stated as follows:
The Socratic Oath
I believe in Good;
That whatever the situation is,
However disappointing or hopeless it is,
Whatever limitations, mistakes and misfortunes there have been,
Or however pleasurable or seemingly satisfying it is,
It is the humble devotion to
And the undefeated perseverance in
The pursuit of the Good
That itself constitutes the highest human moral achievement;
And that the Good consists in the most excellent human functioning,
Namely, the realisation of the principle Knowledge Guides Action
Both in the being of a person, and in the make-up of a family, as well as in the organisation of a society;
And therefore that in all aspects of life and society,
The pursuit of the Good lies in the very act, and its fostering, of the search for Knowledge
Which guides Action that brings about the Good;
And finally that "wealth does not bring goodness, but
goodness brings wealth and every other blessings,
both to the individual and to the state."
This is my most fundamental belief
By which all my mental outlooks, thoughts, feelings and actions are to be guided, and
Which, above all, I will endeavour my utmost
To put into practice in my life
Till the last breath is drawn.
If this is the central idea of Socrates's and my philosophy, a more satisfactory form of Socrates's relationship with either Xantippe or Diotima, and hence a more complete idea than the idea of Platonic love could be described in the following non-poem:
Love
Love is the fire that sets aflame body and mind:
It is the fire that energises the soul
To the generosity to accept the present,
To the courage to seek the good, and
To the strength to do one's utmost;
Love is the peaceful inner joy that accompanies
The image, the sight and the presence of the beloved:
The attire, the deportment, the fragrance, the expression,
The words, the jokes, the decisions, all mingled up to form
An image that pervades as the mint in the heart;
And love thrives in the common pursuit of the good
In aiding and rejoicing in the progress of the beloved,
In feeling the power of improvement within,
And above all in tending the common life
That brings the good near and afar;
Love is, therefore, the colour of being
That changes the hue of life and the world,
To the peaceful grip of one's self and life,
That gives the meaning of being
In the deep presence of the beloved in the heart.
In short, "the Socratic Oath" represents my life philosophy, while "Love" describes the idea and reality of love I am seeking.
Beyond such ideas, from the factual standpoint, I have just come back from a very long research project in Oxford, England. It has not been entirely successful. Perhaps I should add, "not yet". The fat lady started singing, but her song is not yet finished.
The successful part of the research is a rational and practical theory of goodness, which is applicable to individual human lives, to the organisation of societies, and to the directions and histories of human civilisation. One of its central sub-theories as well as its applications is a general theory of knowledge, which is supposed to guide all aspect of human cognitive activities. I am well aware of the fact that this is an awfully bombastic claim. But that is precisely what I wish to do, or at least, to devote my life to. Many have said that it is not an achievable goal, but I have always believed in the proverb, "In magnis et voluisse sat est" (In great things, it is sufficient to have tried). One most fortunate thing is that I really believe that I have discovered this. It may be said that the only thing that remains is just to complete its presentation, and all would be well.
Yes. That is what I truly believe. But having come back to the country after 20 years, I find myself with no friends here. At the same time, I feel my strength is weakening.
I have always envied those authors who dedicate their books to the beloved, whose love and support had been sine qua non for the completion of those books. I dream of a day when my magnum opus may be placed on the bosom of my Diotima++, as I dedicate it and myself to her.
I have tried to make friends since my return. But it has not been successful, as it is very possible that I must have done things wrong.
If you would enjoy discussing the possibility of a truly general philosophical theory, which can be applied to all aspects of good and bad in human life, society and civilisation, interspersed with good humour and banter, as well as a glass of wine for you, and a shot (OK, a few shots) of whiskey for me (of course, if you are into G&T, I make a pretty good one, too), just let me know. And if you would enjoy that under the pretext of making a point, I touch your hand, that would be more enjoyable.
One thing I can assure you is that although in the past, I had not always done things in the way I myself could respect, now I cannot remember anything I have done for the last few decades that I would regret or, what is more to the point, anyone however critical would find it wanting.
Confucius said the following:
At fifteen, I set my heart on learning.
At thirty, I found my balance through the rites.
At forty, I was free from doubts about myself.
At fifty, I understood what heaven intended me to do.
At sixty, I was attuned to what I heard.
At seventy, I followed with my heart what my heart desired without overstepping the line.
I really feel that all things seem to fit my theory of goodness. But then I also know that often the human mind is like a frog watching the sky from the bottom of a deep well.
No doubt in your rich experience of life, you have seen and learnt many things. You must have wondered the possibility of the meaning and foundations for all kind of things in life, society and the world. Most probably, you have not neglected your personal life to search for this, as I have done. Nevertheless, the light in your heart and soul together with your intelligence could surely tell you what is right or wrong or at least has some plausibility, when you hear a certain grand view such as mine.
If you think that such an intellectual talk is genuinely exciting, I am game; I doubt you might find a more exciting theoretician interlocutor.
But then it has been said that the brain is the biggest pleasure organ.
Finally, I am enclosing four photos of mine, as I am well aware of the fact that one cannot have a philosophical discussion without looking at each other's face. But then, many people including Alcibiades, one of the handsomest young men at the time, were surprisingly drawn to Socrates in spite of his unsightly appearance. The reason is, according to Socrates himself, that it is the beauty of the soul that is far superior to the physical beauty. Nevertheless, I suppose that on the way to that higher level, we might find ourselves somewhat distracted by appearance.
The first three photos are a few years old. The second and third ones were taken when I was looking after a grandson of a good friend of mine, which I volunteered and which had given me a deep lasting memory in my heart, as one night I picked him up from his cot, as he was crying. We sat on the staircase, and as I talked to him about my great theory, and all the wonderful and important things happening to the world, he wrapped his small arm around my neck. The sensation of his arm around my neck drew some inexplicable instinct from my whole being. As it turned out, he just wanted to play with the toy downstairs a little bit more.
NOTE: This posting would be deleted by the site owner after 30 days, but it would be deleted earlier, if Diotima++ is found, as there is only one. It may also be re-posted, as the search for her may need faith, hope and perseverance.
- Location: Toronto
- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
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