A Problem in Greek Ethics

About the book

"A Problem in Greek Ethics" by John Addington Symonds is a scholarly examination written in the late 19th century, specifically addressing the topic of male homosexual relationships in ancient Greece, referred to in the text as "paiderastia." The work intends to provide a thorough inquiry into the phenomenon of sexual inversion, exploring its ethical, cultural, and historical significance within Greek society, particularly for medical psychologists and jurists. The opening of this treatise outlines the significance of ancient Greece as a unique society where homosexual passions were not only tolerated but valued for their contribution to the individual's spiritual and societal well-being. Symonds argues that while earlier works such as Homer's epics do not present evidence of such relationships, later interpretations have shaped our understanding of the friendship between characters such as Achilles and Patroclus as indicative of a deeper, perhaps romantic connection, thus setting the stage for a detailed exploration of the evolution of masculine love from heroic ideals to more base forms of attachment in subsequent Greek culture.