What is Love?

Pete Zicato · 08-13-2010, 10:57 AM

In English the word 'love' is overloaded. Depending on context it can mean many different things. The greeks had three different words, and the concepts you describe above fit (sort of) with the Greek words eros, agape, and philia.

I think this overuse of the word 'love' is one of the (admittedly many) reasons that we have so much trouble with long-term relationships in our society.

It's great to have that feeling of love at the beginning of a relationship, but if you don't have that dedication to put another's welfare equal-to or above your own, then the relationship will not stand.

The trick it to find the person for whom you feel the romantic attraction and with whom you also are compatible enough that you are willing to do the work of love.

classicman · 08-13-2010, 11:06 AM

Well said Pete.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

The trick it to find the person for whom you feel the romantic attraction and with whom you also are compatible enough that you are willing to do the work of love.

...and feels the same for you. Its gotta be a two way street.

limey · 08-13-2010, 11:06 AM

I strongly feel that once the horny, dewey-eyed, butterflies-in-the-stomach stage wears off, and it does, love is a choice. The choice to stay with a person, to consider how they feel about what you do, to work on the partnership. It doesn't sound very romantic, but surely choosing loving actions is far more romantic than simply being swept along by the vertigo of falling-in-love-ness?

08-13-2010, 10:57 AM	#1
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	In English the word 'love' is overloaded. Depending on context it can mean many different things. The greeks had three different words, and the concepts you describe above fit (sort of) with the Greek words eros, agape, and philia. I think this overuse of the word 'love' is one of the (admittedly many) reasons that we have so much trouble with long-term relationships in our society. It's great to have that feeling of love at the beginning of a relationship, but if you don't have that dedication to put another's welfare equal-to or above your own, then the relationship will not stand. The trick it to find the person for whom you feel the romantic attraction and with whom you also are compatible enough that you are willing to do the work of love. __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

08-13-2010, 11:06 AM	#3
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	I strongly feel that once the horny, dewey-eyed, butterflies-in-the-stomach stage wears off, and it does, love is a choice. The choice to stay with a person, to consider how they feel about what you do, to work on the partnership. It doesn't sound very romantic, but surely choosing loving actions is far more romantic than simply being swept along by the vertigo of falling-in-love-ness? __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of Last edited by limey; 08-13-2010 at 11:10 AM. Reason: Spilleng

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