"The Symposium" is a philosophical dialogue that revolves around a series of speeches on the topic of love, delivered by a group of characters during a dinner party. Each character presents their own views on love, and among these speeches, the concept of true love is explored. Aristophanes, a comedic playwright, recounted a myth in which humans were originally two people fused together, possessing both masculine and feminine qualities.
However, these original humans became too powerful and attempted to overthrow the gods. In response, Zeus decided to weaken humans by splitting them into two separate halves, resulting in the separation of the androgynous beings into distinct male and female individuals. This act left humans forever yearning for their lost halves, seeking to reunite with them.
Aristophanes explains that the feeling of love stems from this sense of incompleteness and the longing to be reunited with one's lost half. People, he argues, are constantly seeking their "other half" to become whole again. Love, in this context, becomes the desire to find one's soulmate, completing the journey that began when humans were split apart. At its core, love is a profound feeling that emerges when we recognize qualities in someone that resonate with our inner ideals. It's the sense that we have found a connection that transcends the ordinary. It's where the ideal meets the real, creating a unique bond that goes beyond surface appearances.
In our attempt to understand true love, we must first explore the nature of truth itself. The truth, it turns out, is far from an objective and absolute concept. Instead, our individual truths are colored by emotions and expectations. This brings us to the notion of "truthiness" – The feeling of sufficient confidence in one's expectations. In other words, something seems true to us insomuch as we can count on it.
True love, according to our pragmatic lens, is not solely built on recognition of ideals, but also on expectation. It's not just about identifying ideal qualities in someone, but anticipating that these qualities will endure over time and across circumstances. This expectation forms the foundation of trust and faith in the relationship. It is the "happily-ever-afterness" of true love that separates it from the more garden-variety types.
The defining feature of true love is the anticipation of an enduring, felt quality that underpins it. This enduring quality is what empowers a relationship to weather life's storms, providing a steadfast anchor during challenges. This endurance fosters unwavering faith in the relationship's ability to overcome hurdles and evolve over time.
True love, as our pragmatic approach defines it, goes beyond the ordinary. It is a love that perceives not only the present but also the potential. It envisions the object of one's dearest love not just as the best version of themselves but as the best anyone could possibly be. This idea is echoed in the sentiment of "the one who got away". Often, we find it difficult to get over a lost love. That isn't to suggest that there is only one "soulmate" or "other half" made specifically for us, but it does suggest that we can only truly love one other at a time.
This recognition, that only one person can truly be the best or most ideal, entices us to go all in on one person and to not divide our attentions. Recognizing someone as the best draws out the best in us. This aspirational element encourages growth and mutual support, as both partners strive to fulfill their highest potential by projecting outward what is best in themselves.
True love, when approached pragmatically, becomes a harmonious blend of ideals, perceptions, expectations, and enduring qualities. It's not a fairy tale, but a complex and dynamic journey that requires nurturing, communication, and understanding. By recognizing the potential for growth, embracing imperfections, and building a foundation of trust, we can embark on a path toward a love that withstands the tests of time and adversity – a love that is not only the best of what is, but the best of what could be. Aristophanes' view emphasizes the idea that humans are driven by a deep yearning for unity and completeness. The pragmatic view suggests that love exists at the intersection of the ideal and the real. It acknowledges that while we have ideals and expectations about love, relationships are influenced by the complexities of reality. True love, in this perspective, involves a deep connection that considers both the idealized expectations and the practical aspects of a relationship.
The Aristophanean concept of seeking completeness aligns with the idealized notion of love, where individuals hope to find someone who fulfills their deepest desires and longings. This idealized aspect of love can be seen as a reflection of the belief that one's beloved is the best.
However, the pragmatic view reminds us that relationships also involve navigating real-world challenges, differences, and imperfections. Expecting that one's beloved will remain the best requires an understanding that these ideals are subject to the complexities of life. True love, then, is a balance between the idealized pursuit of unity and the recognition that relationships are dynamic and require effort and compromise.
In this treatment, true love emerges as a profound connection that acknowledges both the quest for unity and the reality of navigating life's complexities. It encompasses the ideals of completeness and everlasting connection while recognizing the need for adaptability and growth within the context of life's most meaningful relationships.
Produced by Clint Warren - Aided by ChatGPT
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