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Saturday, June 20, 2020

Love: The One, the Many, and the Muddled

 

Happy (Belated) Valentine's Day, my dear readers! Today, we're talking about love. And not just any kind of love - we're talking about that elusive, magical, all-consuming, soul-enriching, heart-pounding, brain-fogging thing that we call "true love". Or, as some people like to call it, "The One".

Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of whether "The One" really exists, let me ask you this: have you ever seen that episode of The Twilight Zone where the guy finally gets to live out his dream of being a librarian, only to break his glasses and become permanently blind? I know, I know, it seems unrelated - but bear with me. Because that's what love is like. It's like finally finding the perfect book, only to have the universe rip out the last page and leave you with a cliffhanger that you'll never resolve.

But hey, who needs "The One" anyway, am I right? I mean, if you believe that there's only one person out there who can complete you, then you must also believe that there's only one flavor of ice cream that you'll ever truly enjoy. And that's just ridiculous. We all know that there are at least 31 flavors of Baskin-Robbins, and at least 32 different ways to spell "Baskin-Robbins".

So, let's say you're one of those people who believe that there are many potential "ones" out there. Congrats! You're a polyamorist! Just kidding. But seriously, if you think that you can love multiple people at once, then you must also believe that you can listen to multiple songs at once and really appreciate them all. And that's just chaos. Have you ever tried listening to a Mozart sonata and a Justin Bieber song at the same time? It's like trying to read War and Peace while riding a rollercoaster and I lost my copy that way.

But here's the thing: love is messy. It's not always clear-cut, and it's certainly not always easy. Sometimes, you might think you've found "The One", only to realize that they're actually "The Half" or "The Third". Or, even worse, "The Muddled". You know, that person who's sort of right for you, but not quite. The one who's like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the crusts still on - close, but not quite perfect.

But here's the good news: love is also beautiful. It can surprise you, delight you, and make your heart feel like it's about to burst with joy. And even if you don't believe in "The One", or "The Many", or even "The Muddled", you can still believe in love. You can believe in the power of human connection, the warmth of a hug, the tenderness of a kiss, and the comfort of knowing that someone is there for you, through thick and thin.

So, whether you're a hopeless romantic, a skeptic, or just someone who's still trying to figure it all out, remember this: love is worth it. It might not always be easy, and it might not always be what you expect, but it's worth it. Because in the end, love is what makes life worth living. That, and a really good bowl of ice cream.

Friday, June 5, 2020

Plato's Philosophy on Love: Exploring the Depths of Divine Eros and Vulgar Eros

 

Love is a mysterious force that has baffled philosophers, poets, and hopeless romantics for centuries. Plato, one of the greatest minds in history, believed that love was not just an emotion but an essential component of human flourishing.

According to Plato, love is a means of transcending the physical world and reaching a higher form of existence. He believed that true love is not based on superficial qualities like looks or wealth, but on a deep connection between two souls. In his Symposium, Plato argued that love can be divided into two types: the physical and the spiritual.

The physical type of love, which Plato referred to as "Vulgar Eros," is driven by passion, desire, and lust. It is the kind of love that makes your heart race and your palms sweat, but it is also fleeting and often ends in disappointment.

The spiritual type of love, on the other hand, is much deeper and more meaningful. This type of love, which Plato called "Divine Eros," is based on a connection between two souls that transcends the physical realm. It is the kind of love that inspires poetry, music, and art, and it is the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.

What I think he misses is Divine Eros can act like Vulgar Eros when people lust after the very poetry he said is divine. Vise versa the physical is not inherently vulgar unless you define it as something fleeting that you may not always hold value in (calling yourself out Plato). I for one would find my wife attractive if she burned her face with acid.  Maybe we should call platitudes "Plato-tudes". Just kidding

The meaning of words is subjective and depends on the interpretation you give them. It's important not to rely on others, including philosophers, to define things for you that you consider essential. Developing your own critical thinking is necessary to avoid being influenced by others' opinions.

That isn't do say there isn't a lot to gain form others. Plato believed that true love is a journey of discovery and self-discovery. He believed that in order to love another person, we must first love ourselves. He also believed that love is not just an emotion but a virtue that requires discipline, self-control, and wisdom. Brad important concepts that deserve a lot of consideration.