Platonic Love & Friendship: Definition, Meaning & Examples

Platonic refers to a type of love or friendship that is purely intellectual and spiritual, without any physical or romantic elements. It's named after the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who believed the highest form of love transcended physical attraction and was based on a shared understanding of truth and virtue. The term 'platonic' is often used to describe non-romantic relationships between people of different genders, but it can also refer to intellectual pursuits, such as platonic love for knowledge or ideas.