Philosophy Archives

Diotima and Socrates: Love as Eros

What does Socrates say about love in Plato’s Symposium? Why does Socrates cite Diotima in his discussion of love? Socrates’s speech mainly consists of him recounting a past conversation he had with a wise woman named Diotima. Diotima, he says, taught him everything he knows about love. Socrates (and perhaps Plato through him) uses Diotima to appeal to the perceived feminine “expertise” in his arguments, scholars suggest. Let’s examine Diotima’s explanation—but keep in mind Socrates is actually the person present and speaking at the party.

Symposium: Plato’s Quotes on Love

Are you looking for Symposium Plato’s quotes? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? Plato’s Symposium tells the story of a group of Athenian men at a party all giving speeches in praise of love. Their speeches and discussions quickly lead them to try and answer the question, “What is love?” Plato explores this question through the different characters in attendance, and in the process explains the connection between love and philosophy. Below is a selection of quotes from Plato’s Symposium.

Evolution of Ideas: How Learning Mimics Evolution

How does learning mimic evolution? How do ideas evolve? Theoretical physicist David Deutsch rejects the idea that humanity will someday know everything there is to know. He also believes that like genes, ideas reproduce and are extremely hard to change. Here’s why the evolution of ideas is very similar to genes, according to Deutsch’s book The Beginning of Infinity.

Carl von Clausewitz’s Philosophy of War

The Hero With a Thousand Faces: Book Overview

What is Carl von Clausewitz’s philosophy of war? How is it possible that defenders—not aggressors—are responsible for initiating war? Can wars be fought peacefully? According to Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, war is a means of achieving political objectives. Therefore, wars are instigated by defenders, not aggressors. This is because aggressors don’t directly make war; they only make political demands. If the defender gives in to their demands without a fight, then the war doesn’t happen. Keep reading to learn about Carl von Clausewitz’s philosophy of war.

Richard Dawkins: Memes Contribute to Cultural Change

What is Richard Dawkins’ definition of memes? How does culture rely on successful memes? Nowadays, memes are humorous ideas or images spread via the internet. But Richard Dawkins originally defined memes as ideas people shared, which created and changed cultures. Learn more about the connection between Dawkins’ memes and culture from David Deutsch’s book The Beginning of Infinity.

All Knowledge Is Good Knowledge—Here’s Why

Why is all knowledge good knowledge? What happens when truth becomes universal? In The Beginning of Infinity, theoretical physicist David Deutsch claims that all knowledge is significant. He cites two schools of thought to debate this claim: reductionism and holism. Read below to learn more about the importance of knowledge and if we’ll ever find universal truth.

Carl von Clausewitz: On War Quotes

Are you looking for On War quotes by Carl von Clausewitz? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? On War by Carl von Clausewitz is arguably the most influential Western treatise on the subject of war. The book consists of a large collection of essays. The author expressed an intent to develop them into a comprehensive textbook for military officers, politicians, and others who needed to understand the subject of war. However, he died before finishing this project, so his writings were published in their original form. Below is a selection of Carl von Clausewitz’s On War

How the Law of Attraction Works: Napoleon Hill Explains

Do you know how the law of attraction works? Do you believe in it? Wildly popular, often misunderstood, and sometimes ridiculed, the law of attraction is a feature in much of the self-help literature over the past century. Napoleon Hill, who popularized the law in his books, explains that it’s simply the notion that “like attracts like.” That’s why he stresses the importance of positive thinking. Keep reading for Hill’s discussion of the law of attraction.

The Concept of Infinity: What Does It Really Mean?

What is infinity? How can we easily understand the concept of infinity? Infinity is a hard concept to grasp logically. The Beginning of Infinity‘s author David Deutsch believes that the human mind has a natural aversion to it. That’s why he found a way of explaining it that anybody can understand. Read more to have a better understanding of infinity as a concept.

On War by Carl von Clausewitz: Book Overview

How is it possible that defenders are responsible for most wars? Why is it a logical contradiction for military concerns to influence political policy? And why shouldn’t soldiers sleep in tents? Carl von Clausewitz answers all these questions and more in his treatise On War. While it was originally published in 1832, Clausewitz’s philosophical underpinnings of war are arguably still relevant in the modern day. Below is a brief overview of the key themes and takeaways from On War by Carl von Clausewitz.