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Search - A Problem in Greek Ethics: Paiderastia (Forgotten Books)

A Problem in Greek Ethics Paiderastia - Forgotten Books
Author: John Addington Symonds

Book Description: — "This book is a ground-breaking study of the Greek institution of paiderastia. This was a custom by which adolescent men made alliances with older men of a romantic and sexual nature. The young men in question were the same age as contemporary teen pop stars (approximately from puberty to the Athenian age of majority, 2... more »1). And they were treated similarly, as celebrities, showered with gifts and attention, and fought over by lovers. Philosophers such as Plato considered these same-sex unions as a remedy for tyranny, the bedrock of a cultured society, and the purest form of love.

The point of this essay is never made explicit, but it is still very relevant. The ancient Greek civilization lasted for hundreds of years, invented democracy, built amazing monumental buildings, developed advanced philosophy, drama and literature, and defeated the Persian empire. And no small part of this success was due to the openly acknowledged contribution of gay people. This proves specious the argument (most recently advanced by a certain President of the United States) that homosexuals achieving parity in a society means the end of civilization "as we know it".

Symonds, who also wrote A Problem in Modern Ethics, was an accomplished classicist, and a pioneering (if closeted) self-realized gay person. This book was originally published privately for the use of 'Medical Psychologists and Jurists'; this figleaf was neccesary in the repressive climate of Victorian England. The number of copies supposedly was not to exceed 100; however, if the number of used 'first edition' copies available is any indication the print run far exceeded that number, or possibly this sensational tract had a number of pirate editions." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; Preface; Introduction: Method Of Treating The Subject; Homer Had No Knowledge Of Paiderastia--achilles--treatment Of Homer By The Later Greeks; The Romance Of Achilles And Patroclus; The Heroic Ideal Of Masculine Love; Vulgar Paiderastia--how Introduced Into Hellas--crete--laius--the Myth Of Ganymede; Discrimination Of Two Loves, Heroic And Vulgar; The Intensity Of Paiderastia As An Emotion, And Its Quality; Myths Of Paiderastia; Semi-legendary Tales Of Love--harmodius And Aristogeiton; Dorian Customs--sparta And Crete--the Sacred Band--alexander The Great; Paiderastia In Poetry Of The Lyric Age; Paiderastia Upon The Attic Stage; Recapitulation Of Points--the PalÆstra; Distinctions Drawn By Attic Law And Custom; Platonic Doctrine On Greek Love; Greek Liberty And Greek Love Extinguished; The Deep Root Struck By Paiderastia In Greece--position Of Women; Relation Of Paiderastia To The Fine Arts; Homosexuality Among Greek Women; Greek Love Did Not Exist At Rome--christianity--chivalry

About the Publisher:

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org

Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.

ISBN-13: 9781605063898
ISBN-10: 1605063894
Publication Date: 12/28/2007
Pages: 131
Rating:

0 stars, based on 0 rating

Publisher: Forgotten Books
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

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