"Erotikon brings together leading contemporary intellectuals for an expansive debate on the nature, history, and power of eros. From ancient philosophy and baroque architecture to modern literature and Hollywood cinema, the contributors sample from a broad range of Western cultural arts and artifacts. Each essay takes on a particular issue and is followed by a critical response. These pairings are juxtaposed with lyric poetry and prose fiction to compose a diverse and provocative set of views on eros."--Jacket.