The Concept of Eros in Plato's Philosophy and the Concept of Agape in Christian Thought

Corneliu Ben Buzguta ()
Additional contact information
Corneliu Ben Buzguta: Aurel Vlaicu University Arad, Romania

RAIS Conference Proceedings 2022-2024 from Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies

Abstract: This paper delves into the philosophical underpinnings and theological significance of the concepts of Eros and Agape, exploring their origins, and implications in their respective contexts. In examining Plato's dialogues "Symposium" and "Phaedrus," the fundamental aspects of Eros in his philosophy are investigated, discussing its enduring influence and relevance today. Following this, the concept of Agape in Christian thought is explored, focusing on its presentation in the New Testament and the innovative perspectives it brought to the understanding of love. Key aspects of Agape love in Christian thought are identified, illustrating how Agape reconsiders religious and moral values, transforming traditional thinking. The paper concludes by discussing the opposition and similarities between Eros and Agape, emphasizing that interdisciplinary research on love is prolific and remains open to new avenues of investigation. Both concepts challenge individuals to transcend immediate desires and embrace a more expansive vision of love, encompassing personal growth and selfless devotion. The ongoing dialogue between Eros and Agape continues to enrich our understanding of love and its role in the human experience, providing practical guidance for living a life grounded in love, wisdom, and compassion.

Keywords: eros; agape; Plato; Christian thought; love (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 9 pages
Date: 2024-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hme
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Published in Proceedings of the 36th International RAIS Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, June 6-7, 2024, pages 216-228

Downloads: (external link)
https://rais.education/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0413.pdf Full text (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:smo:raiswp:0413

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in RAIS Conference Proceedings 2022-2024 from Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Eduard David ().