How to Love: Wise (and not so wise) advice from the Great Philosophers

Family Values, Sex and a little bit of Philosophy

If anyone can teach us about love, it really ought to be the great philosophers. But of course, being a lover of wisdom and a wise lover are two very different things. Just consider these famous philosophical chat-up-lines:

* Are you interested in immortality?

Diotima, a lady who, according to Plato, greatly impressed Socrates

• Do you have your sexual appetites under control? I do.

Kant, his advice to young people generally. And:

• Would you like to share my grapes?

Schopenhauer, who actually used this line (unsuccessfully) to chat up a young lady.

For better or (more likely) for worse, here are some of philosophy's most celebrated ideas and arguments on love and relationships.