Difference-love for gf and love for bestfriend

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the differences between love for a romantic partner and love for a best friend, particularly focusing on the mental aspects of these feelings while excluding physical attraction and hormonal influences. Participants examine whether these forms of love are fundamentally different or if they share commonalities.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the distinction between love for a soulmate and passion for a sport or career.
  • Others inquire whether there is a mental difference between love for someone you care about and love for someone you are attracted to.
  • One participant suggests that the English language's use of the word "love" for both scenarios creates confusion.
  • Another participant argues that if physical attraction and hormones are excluded, it raises questions about the existence of love itself, suggesting it may be an artificial construct.
  • Some participants propose that exploring feelings in detail without using the term "love" could clarify the differences between these types of affection.
  • A later reply reflects on the discomfort some may feel when trying to separate romantic love from physical attraction, suggesting it leads to questioning the permanence of love.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether love for a best friend and love for a girlfriend are fundamentally different or not. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion is limited by the ambiguity of the term "love" and the varying interpretations of emotional experiences. The exploration of feelings is contingent on personal definitions and subjective experiences.

Skhandelwal
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What is the difference b/w love for your soulmate and passion for your sport/career?
 
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Besides physical attraction, mentally, is there a difference b/w love for who you care about and love for who you are attracted to and care about?
 
What do these two things have to do with each other?

What question do you really want the answer to?
 
Sorry, I messed up, I have fixed it now.
 
Clearly you have some thoughts on the matter. You might get more interest if you elaborated.
 
Well, I am talking purely about mental love. The feelings you have for your best friend and feelings you have for your gf, if we exclude physical attraction, hormones level, etc. Is there a difference? If not then does love exist? Or is it just hype for romantic movies and greeting cards?
 
The confusion is that in english the word love works for both situations. That is all.
 
Skhandelwal said:
Besides physical attraction, mentally, is there a difference b/w love for who you care about and love for who you are attracted to and care about?
I think Gelsamel Epsilon has probably honed right in on the problem here. We are handicapped by one word that is used for two fairly different things.

If you were to sit and write out your feelings in detail for each situation without recourse to the word "love" then the differences ought to become clear.

Well, I am talking purely about mental love. The feelings you have for your best friend and feelings you have for your gf, if we exclude physical attraction, hormones level, etc. Is there a difference? If not then does love exist? Or is it just hype for romantic movies and greeting cards?

If you exclude physical attraction and hormones from what we might call "romantic" love you are really talking about an artificial mental construct that doesn't exist in real life. Usually when people mentally experiment with trying to subtract those things from the equation it means they are becoming uncomfortable with how unreliable, short lived, or erratic those things can be, and wonder if there is ever something more permanent behind it all that they can depend on to last.

Am I close?
 

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