The problematics of love-eros in Stoicism - A confrontation of fragments, paradoxes and interpretations

A number of contradictory definitions of love-eros occur in Stoicism. Love- eros as the propensity to make friends because of their beauty is at times attributed to the sage, and at time utterly condemned. M. Schofield, and M. Nussbaum have attempted to resolve this aporia. Having raised certain diff iculties involved in their interpretations, the A. has attempted to show th at eros had two different meanings. It is firstly passion, carnal desire, t hat the Stoics reject absolutely. But eros also means a natural tendency to make friends of those whose beauty manifests an aptitude for virtue. An er os of this type holds a place in the moral life of the Stoic. Following Pla to, the Stoics make use of the Greek pederastic vocabulary in order to subl imate it and give it a new meaning. This form of eros banishes any amorous passion and any sexual relationship. It is a love of friendship.