How strange it is that Socrates, after having made the…
“How strange it is that Socrates, after having made the children common, should hinder lovers from carnal intercourse only, but should permit love and familiarities between father and son or between brother and brother, than which nothing can be more unseemly, since even without them love of this sort is improper. How strange, too, to forbid intercourse for no other reason than the violence of the pleasure, as though the relationship of father and son or of brothers with one another made no difference.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Questioning inconsistent moral rules about sexual relationships among relatives versus non-relatives.
In simple terms: Inconsistent rules on love and sex.
Key Takeaway
Advocate consistent moral standards.
Themes
ethics
family relations
sexual morality
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- family counseling
- legal policy
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
hypocrisy
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- Why are some familial relationships deemed acceptable?
- How do societies reconcile love with moral codes?
A Different Perspective
Cultural context influences moral judgments.