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Diotima of Mantinea
When Plato wrote Symposium, he entrusted the core of its message—the Ladder of Love—not to Socrates, but to a woman.
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This choice is extraordinary.
A Singular Voice
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Diotima is the sole woman represented as a philosopher in surviving ancient texts. Although she appears only in Symposium, the role she plays is decisive. Socrates introduces her not as an opponent to question, but as a teacher:
“I will rehearse to you what Diotima, a woman wise in this and in many other kinds of knowledge, once said to me… I will try to repeat to you what she said, as best I can, beginning at the beginning with the speeches she made and going through them in the order in which she delivered them” (Plato, Symposium, 201d–e).
This is unusual on two counts:
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Socrates rarely claims knowledge. His hallmark is questioning others. Here, he suspends that method.
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He grounds his authority in someone else’s words. And not just anyone’s—a woman’s. In 5th-century Athens, this was unprecedented.​
The Ladder of Love
What Diotima teaches is a structured ascent:
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Love of one beautiful body.
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Love of all beautiful bodies.
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Love of beautiful minds.
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Love of institutions and practices that embody beauty.
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Love of knowledge.
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Finally, love of Beauty itself—timeless, absolute, unconditional.​​
This ascent is not offered as another argument for Socrates to test, but as wisdom to be received. By placing these words in Diotima’s mouth, he frames the teaching as revelatory—truth.
Philosopher, Priestess, Healer - Was She Real?
Some scholars see her as an invention. Others suggest she may have been modeled on real women, such as Aspasia of Miletus, known for her intellectual influence.
In the dialogue, Socrates also identifies her as a priestess who “delayed the plague of the Athenians by ten years through sacrifices” (Symposium 201d).
This portrayal links her to ritual expertise and sacred power. Ancient Greek priestesses often combined roles of healer, seer, and mediator with the divine. In this sense, Diotima bridges rational exposition and inspired revelation.
Why did Plato do this?
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There are several interpretations why Plato entrusted this teaching to Diotima instead of Socrates:
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To challenge convention. Presenting a woman as Socrates’ instructor destabilizes expectations, emphasizing that wisdom transcends social boundaries.
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To frame it as revelation. By attributing it to an external authority, Plato signals that this teaching is to be received, not dismantled.
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To balance philosophy with mysticism. Her priestly role grounds the ascent in both rational and spiritual traditions.​​
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Whichever interpretation one accepts, the effect is clear: the Ladder of Love is presented not as an opportunity for Socratic speculation, but as truth.​​
We believe that this ladder is a path to elevated performance and purpose for both individuals and organizations.
Why Diotima Matters Today
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​For modern leaders, Diotima offers more than historical interest. In our age of technological disruption, people remain an organization's greatest asset. Tapping into the ancient wisdom of how to motivate and elevate humanity, she represents the possibility of moving from the particular and immediate to the universal and enduring. Just as she taught Socrates to evolve from desire for one thing to love of Beauty itself, organizations can lead their people from a singular focus to a broader understanding of why their organization exists.
At Diotima Works, she is a symbol that the ultimate aim—whether of a life or an enterprise—is not mere efficiency or profit, but to run beautifully.
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