Madness

In Lysias’s speech, discussed at length by Phaedrus and Socrates, it is presented that taking a non-lover is preferable to lover (a non-lover being one who has no emotional attachments within a relationship). Phaedrus implores Socrates to see the wisdom of Lysias’s words and to acknowledge that love, in essence, drives one to madness – that all rationality is lost in pursuit of love. Lysias’s argues that it is far preferable to have an intimate relationship with a friend who is a non-lover rather than to subject oneself to the emotionally driven unknown that is inevitable with taking a lover (142, left column). Throughout the speech the argument is circular and seems somewhat semantic – a non-lover with whom you have sexual relations is by most definitions a lover. I was particularly struck that Socrates is quick to point out that the repetition used in the speech does not make it true and does nothing to advance the argument. We see this tactic employed regularly in politics and other forms of modern persuasion but it is important to remember that just because something is often repeated or commonly believed does not make it true.