What is the true definition of love?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question "What is love?" Participants explore various definitions, theories, and personal interpretations of love, touching on emotional, psychological, and social aspects. The scope includes theoretical perspectives, personal reflections, and some humorous takes on the concept.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that love can be defined in various ways, with one referencing Sternberg's triangular theory of love, which categorizes love into seven types based on commitment, intimacy, and passion.
  • One participant humorously defines love as "hot nuts on a cold day," indicating a playful approach to the topic.
  • Another participant describes love as an overwhelming emotion that can apply to people, ideals, or activities, and contrasts it with hate, suggesting they are closely related.
  • Some participants propose that love can be seen as freedom from boredom and loneliness, or even freedom from thought, indicating a more existential perspective.
  • Selfless affection and loyalty are mentioned as potential definitions of love, highlighting a relational aspect.
  • Several participants express skepticism or humor about the nature of love, with comments suggesting it may be a waste of time or a source of frustration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a singular definition of love, with multiple competing views and interpretations presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some definitions and interpretations depend heavily on personal experiences and cultural contexts, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes a mix of serious and humorous contributions, reflecting varied attitudes towards the concept of love.

The Sphinx
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I know there is no some definition of it, but I just wanted to know what you think. If you were asked "What is love?", what would you say?

Love is ...
 
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hot nuts on a cold day
 
I can accommodate you there... :rolleyes:
 
there are lots of definitions of love. sternberg came up with 7 different types, depending on 3 things: committment, intimacy & passion. (find the power set of this set & throw away the empty set :-p )
here's a description on good ol wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangular_theory_of_love
1. Liking includes only one of the love components - intimacy. In this case, liking is not used in a trivial sense. Sternberg says that this intimate liking characterizes true friendships, in which a person feels a bondedness, a warmth, and a closeness with another but not intense passion or long-term commitment.
2. Infatuated love consists solely of passion and is often what is felt as "love at first sight." But without the intimacy and the commitment components of love, infatuated love may disappear suddenly.
3. Empty love consists of the commitment component without intimacy or passion. Sometimes, a stronger love deteriorates into empty love, in which the commitment remains, but the intimacy and passion have died. In cultures in which arranged marriages are common, relationships often begin as empty love.
4. Romantic love is a combination of intimacy and passion. Romantic lovers are bonded emotionally (as in liking) and physically through passionate arousal.
5. Companionate love consists of intimacy and commitment. This type of love is often found in marriages in which the passion has gone out of the relationship, but a deep affection and commitment remain.
6. Fatuous love has the passion and the commitment components but not the intimacy component. This type of love can be exemplified by a whirlwind courtship and marriage in which a commitment is motivated largely by passion, without the stabilizing influence of intimacy.
7. Consummate love is the only type of love that includes all three components--intimacy, passion and commitment. Consummate love is the most complete form of love, and it represents the ideal love relationship for which many people strive but which apparently few achieve. Sternberg cautions that maintaining a consummate love may be even harder than achieving it. He stresses the importance of translating the components of love into action. "Without expression," he warns, "even the greatest of loves can die"

there's more info in mark knapp's interpersonal comminication in human relationships, and more still in sharon brehm's intimate relationships.
another definition that i saw in one of those books is that someone is in love when things that happen to the other person become as important as things that happen to themselves.
 
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Sleep...
 
I'd say that love is an emotion that overwhelms. This can be for a person, an ideal, an activity, etc. The flip-side could be considered hate, but I think that hatred is basically the same as love, except that hate is violent.

I'll explain myself so as not to be attacked:

Both love and hate override rational thought.
Love and hate seem to go hand-in-hand (thin line between love and hate, basically)Afterall, some people love to hate and some people hate to love. Myself, I prefer love over hate in all instances because it creates mutual happiness and safety.

So, yeah, love is overwhelming emotion.
 
To fall in love with oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance..
 
A noun.

sorry[/color]
 
  • #10
romantic love is simply freedom from boredom and loneliness, and one of the few socially appropriate forms of such pursuits. It's an emotion powerful enough to alter a person's habits.
 
  • #11
better yet, love is freedom from thought.
 
  • #12
Smurf said:
A noun.

sorry[/color]

A waste of time better spent.
 
  • #13
GCT said:
better yet, love is freedom from thought.


Sounds like hell to me.

And here I was thinking religion was freedom from thought.

Sorry, I'm kinda cantankerous today. Don't get too close, I might bite.
 
  • #14
Selfless affection and loyalty for something or someone. That or *I hope I don't get banned* edit by Evo.
 
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  • #15
Entropy said:
Selfless affection and loyalty for something or someone. That or *I hope I don't get banned* edit by Evo..


*snicker*:biggrin: *snicker*
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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