What connects Plato and Marsilio Ficino?
Both philosophers, a few centuries apart, they also have "platonic love" in common: the first gave it its name, the second theorized the concept.
This is what Stéphane Bern explains in "Historically Vôtre" on Wednesday on Europe 1.
Contrary to what one might think, Plato was not particularly a supporter of "platonic love" ... Every day in "Historically yours", Stéphane Bern returns to the origins of everyday expressions. Thursday, he dissects us those used to describe a chaste attraction, which dates back to Antiquity and the 16th century.
"When, between two people, whatever the reason, love is not consumed carnally, an expression is essential: we say that it is a platonic love. But why platonic? Logically, who says platonic says Plato , the great Greek philosopher.
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But beware, it is not the latter who theorized this love devoid of carnal fulfillment.
He encouraged him even less.
Moreover, it is in
The Banquet
, written in 380 BC, that Plato stages a discussion between himself and the guests.
Plato finds that carnal love is rather natural, that it is even necessary to find the truth, while around the banquet, one develops contrary arguments.
Amor platonicus
It is in fact in the 16th century that another philosopher, Marsilio Ficino, deepens what he will designate as
amor platonicus
, or a chaste, poetic love, far from the animal instinct which would necessarily push us to perpetuation. of the species or in search of pleasure.
The concept here becomes Christianized, this love becomes an expression of God, the chaste alliance of two divine souls.
Let us end with a little levity with a good word from Pierre Dac: "Platonic love is to carnal love what the reserve army is to the active army".
Fortunately we didn't invent platonic humor, because then that would be really sad. "