Modern love is irreducibly bound to a unique individual, unlike Plato’s
Evidence
For us the beauty of individuality and the individuality of beauty comprise an indivisible unity. What separates us most profoundly from Plato is that for him individuality and beauty are divisible, and it is precisely love which draws the dividing line between them: it encompasses beauty and leaves individuality out. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 575
Categorization
- XREF: Connects to the modern ‘blasé attitude’ and psychic architecture theme — Simmel contrasting Greek and modern psychic structures feeds the essay’s account of modern detachment and the stranger. — connects to: Modern love attaches to unanalyzable individuality rather than to any specific attribute — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 580; Plato’s rational interpretation of love ignited a supra-rational enthusiasm. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 585; Reciprocal modern love presupposes each ego having secured a definite boundary — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 583
Related
- Modern love attaches to unanalyzable individuality rather than to any specific attribute (similarity 0.92)
- Modern individuality values being this specific irreplaceable person, not mere freedom (similarity 0.85)
- Reciprocal modern love presupposes each ego having secured a definite boundary (similarity 0.84)
- Plato’s rational interpretation of love ignited a supra-rational enthusiasm. (similarity 0.79)
- Greek thought lacked a pure relational concept, subsuming reciprocity under friendship (similarity 0.79)
Broader Connections
- Modern love attaches to unanalyzable individuality rather than to any specific attribute
#expands(0.85) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 580 - Reciprocal modern love presupposes each ego having secured a definite boundary
#qualifies(0.45) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 583 - Plato’s rational interpretation of love ignited a supra-rational enthusiasm.
#exemplifies(0.40) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 585