Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates, 3rd ed. Volume 3

This volume brings together Plato’s two most celebrated erotic dialogues, the Phaedrus and the Symposium, and guides listeners through the ancient Greek conception of Eros. The author unpacks how love was seen not merely as a private passion but as a force that could elevate the soul, inspire heroic deeds, and fuel intellectual camaraderie. By contrasting the Hellenic view—where youthful beauty and communal exercise sparked a profound, almost spiritual devotion—with the modern focus on heterosexual romance, the listener gains a fresh perspective on a philosophy that still shapes discussions of desire.

Beyond the dialogues themselves, the work weaves in insights from Xenophon, Aristotle, and later commentators to reveal how attitudes toward gender, education, and social duty intertwined with the notion of love. Listeners will appreciate the careful balance of scholarly rigor and accessible storytelling, making this exploration of Platonic Eros both thought‑provoking and surprisingly relevant to contemporary conversations about the nature of affection and the pursuit of a higher life.