BBC

A History of Ideas: Diotima's Ladder

Harry Shearer on Diotima's Ladder

Is lust the first rung on a ladder that leads to the appreciation of abstract beauty? That’s the question posed in this rather racy animation based on Diotima’s theory of Beauty posited in Plato’s Symposium. Find out how lusting after the physical beauty of a lover can lead the rational person on a journey to morality.

Want to hear more on this topic?

Here’s the whole episode from A History of Ideas – Philosopher Angie Hobbs on Beauty and Morality

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