Of all the manifestations of love described in philosophy, eros—the sensual, the passionate—is often the most exalted. But in its power to override rational and ethical impulses, eros can become monstrous, throwing you into a cycle of misery in which you’re impervious to common sense. Philosopher Agnes Callard, author of Aspiration, joins web editor Violet Lucca for a cathartic conversation about her own encounters with eros and the feasibility of ethical erotic relationships. Callard and Lucca trace depictions of eros through history, from Plato to modern novels, and reevaluate the concepts of civility and loneliness. They also explore the possibilities and strictures of writing about eros: the space it creates for reflection, the illusory fulfillment of depictions of sex, and whether it’s ever possible to treat the topic with anything approaching objectivity.

Read Callard’s essay here: https://harpers.org/archive/2022/03/the-eros-monster-agnes-callard/

This episode was produced by Violet Lucca and Andrew Blevins.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harpersmagazine.substack.com