Lysis

by Plato

"Lysis" by Plato is a dialogue written in the early period of Plato's work. In this philosophical conversation, Socrates encounters young men at a wrestling school and engages them in examining the nature of philia—an intimate bond deeper than modern friendship. Through questioning two boys, Lysis and Menexenus, Socrates explores whether true friendship exists between similar people, opposites, or something else entirely. Each promising definition is systematically challenged, leaving the nature of loving friendship mysteriously unresolved.