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."