As the premise for of Plato’s Symposium, each of the guests gives speeches dedicated to the god Love. Phaedrus begins as the whole idea was his original idea. Opening his declaration of Love’s greatness, the orator states the reason why Love is the oldest, and thus best, god. He then spends most of his speech giving reasons why men in love would form the best society. First, they would shun doing shameful things so as to always be honorable before their lover. Second, they would be willing to die for their lovers, making them good soldiers. Third, they would be more blessed by the gods because their virtues are motivated by Love.
While discussing his first point, that lovers shun shameful behavior, Phaedrus made an interesting statement. “Theirs [lovers’] would be the best possible system of society, for they would hold back from all that is shameful, and seek honor in each others’ eyes,” (179 a). His point is that a person can be kept from doing something because they fear to appear guilty before the one they love. The horror of shame would prevent people from doing things that, otherwise, they might commit if they did not care who knew.
However, this seems very naïve to me. Rather than preventative, love can be a powerful motivator to do what would normally be abstained. Lying, theft, and murder have all been committed in the name of love and its pursuit. For some, love can prevent shameful behavior, those with a high sense of honor. But, as seems more often seems the case, one is more liable to do something regrettable when in love than when one is not.
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