Eros as Self-Knowledge in Plato’s Alcibiades I and Symposium

This thesis examines the interrelation between desire, care, self-knowledge, love, and political power in Plato’s Alcibiades I. It argues for the central role of eros as a transformative force enabling self-knowledge and, consequently, authentic care for others. Drawing on Foucault’s concept of epimeleia heautou (care of the self) as a spiritual practice, the study investigates the philosophical trajectory that links self-care to collective care through eros. By analysing the relationship between Socrates and Alcibiades as presented in Alcibiades I and the Symposium, the work reflects on the ethical and political implications of eros as mediation between the human and the divine. Ultimately, it highlights the limits of this process in achieving genuine political virtue.