Abstract

The modern term ›fascination‹ refers to a strong allocation of attention without submitting entirely to understanding. In this paper the concept of this experience is traced back to Plato. Some of Plato’s descriptions of the effect of Socrates conceptualize ›fascination‹ without using a specifi c term. A cluster of terms(aporia, ekplexis, shame, eros) as well as descriptions of physiological experiences and metaphors of the source domains ›force‹ and ›divided self‹ allow toindicate them as prototypical descriptions of fascination. References to Plato byMarsilio Ficin and Friedrich Nietzsche expose the importance of Socrates in theconceptual history of fascination.