Greek Philosophers and their LGBTQ Scholars
Greek philosophers laid much of the early foundations of Western philosophy and science. Their process of debate in politics and law remain a means of instruction and process today. The goal in such is to establish an ethical based system of living and governance based on human reason rather than doctrine or belief.
These same Greek philosophers dealt extensively and explicitly with the notion and presence of same-sex love. As a result, more modern views on homosexuality have led to the development of expressions such as ‘Greek Principles’, whereby such love results in obtaining moral wisdom and strength. Ancient writings also, however, distinguish between physical love and spiritual love, where the beauty of the soul is placed above the beauty of the body.
Greek celebration of male love has endured in its contribution to liberal behaviour and government. Today’s LGBTQ rights movements rely specifically on the tenents of Greek philosophy, as do all movements for individual and equal rights. In addition, the poetry of Sappho is some of the earliest known romantic writings and began the notion that poetry could be the means of both conveying and manipulating emotional love – it remains a foundation of romantic writing today.
Lack of documentation often prohibits any concrete notion of homosexual behavior amongst these Greek philosophers. However, all of the following expound and support it in their writings. The listed notable contemporary scholars of the Greek philosophers are, or were, acknowledged homosexuals.
To read their fascinating biographies, simply click on their name:
Greek Philosophers
LGBTQ Greek Scholars
- Maurice Bowra, Great Britain
- G. L. Dickinson, Great Britain
- Marsilio Ficino, Italy
- Marc-Antoine Muret, France
- Friedrich Nietzsche, Germany
- Paul Roche, Great Britain
- Johann Joachim Winckelmann, Germany
