Beautiful Falsehoods: A Look at the Symposium, and the Problem of Diotima

Abstract

One question which is often brought up with regards to the Symposium is why Socrates chooses to give his speech through the mouth of Diotima, given that she is the only woman ever to get a prominent speaking role in any of the dialogues? Through a careful examination of the forms as presented in his speech, I show how Socrates would likely not have been espousing accurate concepts of such things as Beauty and love. Instead, it can be seen that he is doing much the same thing as every other individual at the symposium, named providing a eulogy to Eros. Considering the situation in the Symposium it becomes clear what purpose Diotima serves; through her, Socrates is able to give a eulogy and participate in the symposium with the others, and yet still keep his reputation among those present; the speech, and thus the problems therein, are not actually seen to be said by Socrates.