So here it is, my research paper as promised. I was a bit rushed so it's not perfect.
The Importance of Platonic Love in Modern Society
In today's world, the phrase "platonic love" is defined as "an intimate companionship or relationship, [especially] between two persons of the opposite sex, that is characterized by the absence of sexual involvement; a spiritual affection" ( Dictionary.com). However, originally, the phrase denoted an intense love between an older and younger man. These pederastic relationships have existed, and indeed been institutionalized, in many cultures and societies. With the disturbing rate of child sexual abuse cases on the rise, it is clearly time for our country and the world to accept this type of relationship, modify the system of pederasty to fit our modern world, and, most importantly, to realize that there is nothing further removed from a pederast than a child molester.
Other than "platonic love," there are many other misconceptions and contradictions in our culture and media about pederasty, especially concerning terminology. Therefore, it is important that the definitions are made clear. For the purposes of this paper, "pederasty" is defined as a type of relationship, government-sponsored or otherwise, which occurs between an adult and an adolescent. This relationship may be a mentorship, a romance, or a combination of the two in which the adult ideally places the adolescent's wants and needs far above his own. "Greek pederasty" denotes the government-sponsored ancient Greek form of pederasty. "Shudo" refers to the samurai practice called "the way of the young," which was very similar to Greek pederasty.
The contradictory definitions and terminology of the subject are only the beginning of the conflict. For centuries, the role of sex in pederastic relationships has been fiercely debated. While many ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates and Plato believed that the only pure and moral form of pederasty was chaste ("Philosophy"), much of the Greek art of that time period which depicted pederastic couples was of a sexual nature (Bullough). In shudo, sex between a daimyo and his adolescent lover was considered not only normal, but absolutely essential. As the writer of "The Beautiful Way of the Samurai" put it, "… it has been said that it would never have been asked of a daimyo, 'lord', why he took boys as lovers, but why he didn't" (The World History of Male Love). If a modern system of pederasty were to be established, the question of sex would certainly play a large role. In our country, the age of consent varies by state and generally falls between 16 and 18. Worldwide, there is greater variance, with all of the established and verified ages of consent falling between 12 and 21. The age of consent in the Philippines is 12, but an adult may be prosecuted if a minor under 14 is coerced or paid (Avert). This seems like a reasonable system, since, although 12-14 year-olds may be easily scared into sex or enticed by payment, they are still within the average range of puberty which makes them physically mature enough for sex. However, many so-called "child advocates" would argue that adolescents are not emotionally mature enough for sexual activity of any kind. The possibility of a pederastic system in our society would depend upon the realization of the people as a whole that pederasty does not necessarily include sex, and so this conflict is one for another time entirely.
In our time, the idea of pederasty as acceptable and common-place is unthinkable. We cannot imagine such a practice in any civilized society. However, upon closer inspection, one finds that pederasty had been not only acceptable, but highly honored in many societies throughout time. In ancient Greece, philosophers, scholars, and noblemen would often court young aristocrats with gifts. If the adolescent reciprocated his affection, he would take the youth under his wing, teaching him everything he knew. Often, the man and youth would fight side by side in war, because, according to Plutarch, "[Men] of the same tribe or family little value one another when dangers press; but a band cemented by friendship grounded upon love is never to be broken, and invincible; since the lovers, ashamed to be base in sight of their beloved, and the beloved before their lovers, willingly rush into danger for the relief of one another" ("Sacred Band of Thebes"). In feudal Japan, the courtship was reversed, with the youth choosing and courting a nobleman (The World History of Male Love).
With the rise of Christianity as the religion of Europe, it would appear that pederasty was crushed in the western world; however, although pederastic relationships were taboo, they still existed. One of the most notable cases is that of poet, playwright, and strong supporter of the aesthetic movement, Oscar Wilde, and his companion Lord Alfred Douglas. Wilde critiqued Douglas's poetry, cared for him, and shielded him from his brutal and abusive father. It was the last service that brought Wilde to trial for gross indecency. While on the stand, he extemporized one of the most moving characterizations of pederasty in history. When questioned about one of Douglas's poems which referred to a love other than that of a man and a woman as "the love that dare not speak its name," he replied that "The Love that dare not speak its name" in this century is such a great affection of an elder for a younger man as there was between David and Jonathan, such as Plato made the very basis of his philosophy, and such as you find in the sonnets of Michelangelo and Shakespeare. It is that deep, spiritual affection that is as pure as it is perfect...It is in this century misunderstood, so much misunderstood that it may be described as the 'Love that dare not speak its name,' and on account of it I am placed where I am now. It is beautiful, it is fine, it is the noblest form of affection. There is nothing unnatural about it. It is intellectual, and it repeatedly exists between an elder and a younger man, when the elder man has intellect, and the younger man has all the joy, hope and glamour of life before him. That it should be so the world does not understand. The world mocks at it and sometimes, puts one in the pillory for it." Later, when asked if he felt this love for the renters (male prostitutes) that he and Douglas kept company with, he replied, "Certainly not. One feels that once in one's life, and once only, towards anybody" ("Testimony of Oscar Wilde")
And this is the true definition of Platonic love, of pederasty: to be so passionate about the life and wellbeing of another that one would openly defend his love for that person on the stand, risking not only being sentenced to prison, but losing his reputation, being mocked for the rest of his life and never working again, forfeiting that which is most dear to him because the subject of his affection is dearer still to him. The acceptance of this philosophy would protect our children from harm and aid in their growth as people, it would better us as a society, and perhaps allow us to return to a better time, when great minds existed in abundance, and they helped to create the next generation of great minds.
