Erôs and Education : Plato’s Transformative Epistemology

Abstract

The notion o/erôs as it is developed in Diotima's speech in the Symposium is used to interpret Socrates' discussion of taking a stand in the Apology. Erôs, as the arena of vulner- ability and commitment, is then shown to define the terrain of education andjustice. This allows the conclusion that knowledge is self-transformation in light of one's sense of the good.