Many have heard the term, but do you know what the true meaning of platonic love is? So far, most people don’t know. For some, it is a feeling of idealization, in which the desired person is totally perfect in the eyes of the other. However, what is platonic love and what does it really mean? Find out what this is about.
The meaning of platonic love goes more towards a love that focuses on the intelligence and character that a person has. That is to say, platonic love has nothing to do necessarily with physical appearance, that is where the error of many people lies.
Platonic love what is it?
It is an expression that is used very frequently in the so-called popular “slang” to refer to an unattainable or impossible love. This type of “love” uses the adjective “platonic” linking it to the vision of the great philosopher Plato. However, the meaning of platonic love that is applied today is somewhat far from what he once proposed as a philosopher.
Currently, the meaning of platonic love goes more towards a totally idealized feeling of love that is believed to be impossible to achieve. For some it has to do with a love that is at a distance, sometimes starting from a “fantasy” point of view in which the desired person is perfect.
In other words, many believe that platonic love is characterized by highlighting only the good qualities, while eliminating all the flaws. But the truth is that this concept is not entirely true, since over the years it was “modified”.
For this reason, to really understand the meaning of platonic love, it is necessary to know the philosophical vision of Plato. Since this represents the true origin of what is known today as platonic love.
What is the meaning of platonic love?
The first time that the concept of platonic love was known, was in the work “The Banquet” of the great philosopher of Greek origin, Plato. For this important character, love was one of the purest feelings that existed and was devoid of passions.
Since for the philosopher, the passions were material, momentary, false and even blind in essence. In this sense, for Plato, the meaning of platonic love was based mainly on virtue and not on interests.
In fact, according to the ideas of the philosopher, everything is perfect, however, the real world is only an imperfect copy of the same world of ideas. For Plato, platonic love is nothing more than perfect love, it is only found in the world of ideas. But, that does not exist in the real world, since this has been vitiated by the passions.
For the philosopher, love teaches people to love beyond the beauty of the simple, always in search of perfection. In other words, for the famous philosopher, thanks to love, both beauty and the divine essence are made available to humans.
Therefore, the meaning of platonic love is not personified, since it has to do with the force that leads us to find perfection and beauty through intelligence. In other words, the beauty that can be found in a body is part of the intellectual plane.
Over the years, several philosophers made use of the concept of this type of love, however, the meaning of platonic love was changing. So much so, that today, the definition of platonic love follows a slightly different connotation.
In the work “The platonic lovers”, launched in 1636 by Sir Williams Davenant, the author defined platonic love as the root of reality and of each of the virtues. So the idealization of someone loved is what draws the line of what cannot be achieved. This being one of the most important elements when it comes to true platonic love.
How does Plato relate beauty and love?
The philosopher said at the time that, once beauty was found, love would immediately arise in people. This can be defined as a kind of impulse and even that determination that leads us to contemplate it and get to know it better.
According to Plato himself, they are phases that occur gradually, managing to see that in each of these phases, a specific type of beauty can be appreciated.
Body beauty:
This is the first phase itself and can be divided into two parts, the first one starts with a feeling of love for a particular beautiful body. While the second, a beauty that goes more towards the general is appreciated.
Beauty of souls:
Once the line of appreciating and feeling love for a person’s body is crossed, the next phase begins. In this, the person concentrates on the interior of her, then on the moral and cultural plane of the being for whom she has feelings. It is a phase in which love transcends the physical part and focuses on the internal, that is, on the soul.
Beauty of wisdom:
After appreciating spiritual beauty, the path leads directly to love of knowledge and ideas. This phase goes beyond the feeling you have for your loved one.
Beauty itself:
Finally, when each of the phases shown above have been overcome, it is time to open the last door. In this you can experience in your own flesh the love for beauty in itself, that is, totally separated from an object or person. This phase can be called the highest level of love, greater than anything else.
The last phase has a unique characteristic, knowing beauty in a passionate, disinterested and above all, pure way. It is a feeling that can be corrupted or modified, no matter how much time passes.
This means that it is not an unattainable love in itself, it is only one based on the appreciation of ideas and perfect forms, as well as intangible and eternal.
What is the meaning of platonic love in psychology?
Once the origin of the meaning of platonic love is known, now it is time to see it from the point of view of psychology. Since it is a science that has also analyzed the concept of this type of love.
In the case of psychology, platonic love is a fantasy feeling, totally idealized towards a love that can be considered “perfect” and at the same time, impossible. From this point of view, psychologists claim that many people have experienced platonic love at some point in their lives.
Usually this happens because of introversion, inhibition, and emotional insecurity. It is certainly a very strong feeling, in most cases, the person who feels the attraction for the other, is frustrated towards what she considers impossible. It is for this reason that platonic love is a feeling that is experienced a lot in the stage of adolescence and youth.
For psychology, platonic love is a fairly common feeling and, above all, circumstantial. However, if this becomes an obsession, it is best to treat it with specialized help immediately. Otherwise, it would cause a great increase in the levels of frustration in the person experiencing it.
It must be remembered that the definition of this type of love, from a psychological perspective, focuses on idealization. Normally, this is not matched by reality itself, making the relationship completely impossible.
However, true and unconditional love has nothing to do with platonic love. It is very important that this is kept in mind, since some may confuse it and believe that a possible love can become something unattainable.
Likewise, it is advisable to seek all possible help when a person has problems related to this topic. Especially, if it is about adolescence, a stage of life in which many often suffer from unrequited love. It is also a phase in which insecurities appear and can come to mark the lives of the youngest.
Finally, when you feel love for a person, the most important thing is to approach them to find out for yourself if there is a possibility of relating. At first it does not have to be a love relationship, it can also start with a beautiful friendship and then see what happens.
Sources: Mundo Deportivo, The Mind is Wonderful, Meanings.