WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT: The Speeches of Agathon, Socrates and Diotima from “The Symposium”

Written assignments are designed to help you analyze the reading. Simple restatements or summaries of ideas will not be accepted. What does this mean? You are expected to interpret and analyze what you have read and express that analysis in your own words. It will be tempting to respond to a question by giving me an exact quote from the reading. Only use quotes in support of your own ideas. Remember, it is only a quote if you use quotation marks and cite your sources. If you do not use quotation marks, it is plagiarism. It may also be tempting to do outside research and respond using the words of another person. This is also plagiarism. Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is defined as copying words or ideas and presenting them as your own work.

A NOTE ON A.I.:

Any work written, developed, created, or inspired by artificial intelligence (AI) is considered plagiarism and will not be tolerated. All assignments will be submitted through a program called “TurnItIn.” This program identifies plagiarism, AI-generated information, and “humanized” AI-generated information. While new developments with AI will find their place in our workforces and personal lives, in the realm of education and learning, this kind of technology does not belong. A.I. robs us of the opportunity to learn from our experiences and from each other, to explore our creativity, to problem-solve, and to contribute our ideas in authentic ways. College is a place for learning, and this class is specifically a space for learning how to improve critical thinking skills. AI simply cannot do that learning for us.

Students caught using AI, plagiarizing, or cheating in any way, will receive an “F” for the assignment or exam. You may read about DVC’s academic integrity policy. This assignment is worth 4% (or 4 points).

I do not deduct points for spelling or grammar mistakes (although I often correct them – I can’t help myself as a teacher), but please make an effort to proofread your work.

I will be giving you feedback on each written assignment. Please learn how to access this feedback. It will be an important part of preparing for the tests. 

In at least 200 words, please respond to the following prompts about your reading (through line number 212c in The Symposium).

Please number your answers and use Word or PDF format.

 

Agathon

1. List at least three characteristics Agathon uses to define Love.
2. According to Agathon, what kinds of activities does love give rise to (196e-197a)?
3. According to Agathon (after Socrates questions him) is Love the love of nothing or something?
4. According to Socrates, do we love things we need or things we already have?
5. How does Socrates get Agathon to admit that love is not beautiful? What are the questions and answers?

 

Socrates and Diotima

1. Why does Diotima claim that love is not a god? What do gods have that love does not?
2. What does she say love is?
3. What does Diotima say is the function of love?
4. Why does Diotima think that people are confused about the nature of love (205e)?
5. According to Diotima, what are the steps one goes through to see the “Beautiful Itself.”
6. What is different about Socrates’ speech when compared to the first five speakers?