Platonic

Platonic
   , PLATONIC LOVE
   Platonic love, from the Latin armor Platonicus, is nonphysical attraction between a man and a woman, sometimes called platonic friendship. This notion of friendship is loosely derived from views stated in Plato's Symposium, in which he tells of the pure love of Socrates for young men. In 1626 in England, platonic love, the love of friendship only, came to be applied only to a love between a man and a woman, and the talk between them was called platonics.
   Not much is known about the renowned philosopher. Plato (c. 428347 B.C.) at birth was given the name Aristocles. His name was changed to Plato by his gymnastic teacher, who admired the great width of his shoulders (in Greek, Plato means "wide"). At age twenty, Plato became a student of Socrates. After the death of Socrates, Plato founded the Academy in 387, the first university, which offered courses in philosophy, mathematics, logic, and government. One of Plato's pupils was Aristotle. Plato died while attending a wedding feast in Athens. Although his age was uncertain, he is believed to have been about eighty. Philosopher Alfred North Whitehead characterized Western philosophy as "a series of footnotes to Plato."

Dictionary of eponyms. . 2013.

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  • platonic — PLATÓNIC, Ă, platonici, ce, adj. 1. Care aparţine platonismului, privitor la platonism; platonian, platonician (2). ♦ p. ext. (Despre sentimente) Pur, ideal; spiritualizat. 2. Care nu se poate realiza, care nu se concretizează, care nu poate fi… …   Dicționar Român

  • Platonic — Pla*ton ic, Platonical Pla*ton ic*al, a. [L. Platonicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. platonique.] 1. Of or pertaining to Plato, or his philosophy, school, or opinions. [1913 Webster] 2. Pure, passionless; nonsexual; philosophical. [1913 Webster] {Platonic… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • platonic — referring to spiritual as distinct from erotic love, is spelt with a small initial p. When the reference is directly to Plato (as in Platonic dialogue), it is spelt Platonic with a capital initial letter …   Modern English usage

  • Platonic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of or associated with the Greek philosopher Plato (c.429 c.347 BC) or his ideas. 2) (platonic) (of love or friendship) intimate and affectionate but not sexual. DERIVATIVES platonically adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • Platonic — Pla*ton ic, n. A follower of Plato; a Platonist. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Platonic — (adj.) 1530s, of or pertaining to Gk. philosopher Plato (429 B.C.E. c.347 B.C.E.). The name is Gk. Platon, properly broad shouldered (from platys broad; see PLACE (Cf. place) (n.)). His original name was Aristocles. The meaning love free of… …   Etymology dictionary

  • platonic — [adj] expressing nonphysical love ideal, idealistic, intellectual, quixotic, spiritual, transcendent, Utopian, visionary; concepts 403,555 Ant. physical …   New thesaurus

  • Platonic — [plə tän′ik, plātän′ik] adj. [L Platonicus < Gr Platōnikos] 1. of or characteristic of Plato or his philosophy 2. idealistic, visionary, or impractical 3. [usually p ] designating or of a relationship, or love, between a man and a woman that… …   English World dictionary

  • Platonic — Plato s influence on Western culture was so profound that several different concepts are linked by being called platonic or Platonist, for accepting some assumptions of Platonism, but which do not imply acceptance of that philosophy as a whole.… …   Wikipedia

  • platonic — [[t]plətɒ̱nɪk[/t]] (The spelling Platonic is also used for meaning 2.) 1) ADJ GRADED Platonic relationships or feelings of affection do not involve sex. She values the platonic friendship she has had with Chris for ten years. Ant: sexual 2) ADJ:… …   English dictionary

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