What is Love?

[knightofrelaxium]

Here's my version of love - Having respect for someone. Caring about their well-being. Wanting them to have as good a life as possible.

How do you define love?

 

[Helo]

Being willing to die for someone without a second's hesitation

 

[Spherical Time]

Being willing to die for someone without a second's hesitation

I don't know if the Secret Service love the president.

I'd say, caring about someone to the point where their well-being affects yours.

And for romantic love I'd add that you should have sexual and passionate feelings about this other person.

 

[Ananel]

There are different forms and variations of love, from the love of one's parents and siblings, to the love of one's friends, to the love of one's spouse, to the love one holds for something that fascinates them, and others. Love itself, even 'true love' is not so easy to pin down.

 

[Helo]

I don't know if the Secret Service love the president.

They do that because its thier job and they feel they have a duty to do what they do. Thats duty, not love

And I personally wouldnt take a bullet for him

 

[eoe]

What is Love?

Baby don't hurt me,
don't hurt me no more.



Sorry... it had to be done.

Seriously..... If you want to understand love I would suggest that you look at the words for it in another language. That does sound odd eh?

What I mean is that English has all of...erm.. one word for love. If it is your brother or father or lover or whatever we use the same word.

There are a number of different Greek words for love, as the Greek language distinguishes several different senses in which the word love is used. For example, Ancient Greek used the words philia, eros, agape, storge and xenia to refer to different aspects of love. However, as with many other languages, it has been historically difficult to separate the meanings of these words totally. For example, the ancient Greek text of the Bible has examples of the verb agapo being used with the same meaning as phileo. Nonetheless, the senses in which these words were generally used are given below. The first four words have also been discussed from a Christian perspective in the best-selling book The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis.
Agape (ἀγάπη agápē) means love in modern day Greek. The term s'agapo means I love you in Greek. The word agapo is the verb I love. In Ancient Greek it generally refers to a "pure", ideal type of love rather than the physical attraction suggested by eros. For example, in the New Testament this is the verb used to describe God's love for humanity. However, there are also some examples of agape used to mean the same as eros. It has also been translated as "love of the soul".
Eros (ἔρως érōs) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Greek word erota means in love. Plato refined his own definition. Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Eros helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty, and contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth. Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth by eros. Some translations list it as "love of the body".
Philia (φιλία philía), means friendship in modern Greek, a dispassionate virtuous love, was a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. Philia is motivated by practical reasons; one or both of the parties benefit from the relationship.
Storge (στοργή storgē) means affection in modern Greek; it is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring.
Xenia (ξενίαxenía), means hospitality in modern Greek and was an extremely important practice in ancient Greece. It was an almost ritualized friendship formed between a host and their guest, who could previously be strangers. The host fed and provided quarters for the guest, who was only expected to repay with gratitude. The importance of this can be seen throughout Greek mythology, in particular Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.

 

[Lokisdottir]

Baby don't hurt me,
don't hurt me no more.



Sorry... it had to be done.

Maaan, you beat me to it!

 

[suzybeezy]

Origins: The word Love is from Old English lufu, connected with Sanskrit lubh, 'to desire' and Latin lubere, 'to please'.

Biblical Definition of Love: 1 Corithians
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things.

Webster's Definition of Love: Love is a strong liking for someone. It's a strong passionate affection for another person.

My Definition: I have often thought I understood and knew what love was. I have often found out how wrong I was. I didn't understand love - both romantic and spiritual love - until I experienced them. What I have learned is no words can properly explain what Love is - because its more than a word - its a state of being.

 

[Jan87676]

What is love ?
Baby don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
Baby don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
What is love

Oh I don't know
Why you're not fair
I give you my love
But you don't care
So what is right
And what is wrong
Give me a sign

What is love
Baby don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more
What is love
Baby don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more

Oh I don't know
What can I do
What else can I say
It's up to you
I know we're one
Just me and you
I can't go on



I want no other
No other love
This is your life
our time
When we are together
I need you forever
Is it love

 

[Caylin]

Love is what I have for my girlfriend.

 

[Moros]

Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me.. oh no..

 

[Vedant]

Here's my version of love - Having respect for someone. Caring about their well-being. Wanting them to have as good a life as possible.

How do you define love?

I don't know what it is, but I REALLY want it.

 

[Moros]

Love is primarily a social construct based around a naturally occuring biological reaction, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[Helo]

Love is primarily a social construct based around a naturally occuring biological reaction, ladies and gentlemen.

Social constructs dont make people do the things they do for love

 

[Arnold_Philips]

Love is primarily a social construct based around a naturally occuring biological reaction, ladies and gentlemen.

ding ding ding ding ding ding

 

[Mirelys]

I know lots of things love is not, but I'm not sure what it is quite yet...

 

[Illuminatus]

Social constructs dont make people do the things they do for love

No, that'd probably be the biological reaction part of it.

 

[Ampoliros]

Social constructs dont make people do the things they do for love

No, but the biological reaction might.

 

[Helo]

No, but the biological reaction might.

Biology doesnt explain the things people do for love either.

Actually biology should work AGAINST love.

There was a man several years back who stepped between a gunman and his wife and took a bullet to the chest.

Biologically, that man shouldnt have done that.His own survival instincts should have made him stay put. Your instinct for survival is paramount above all else.

The divine order of our instincts goes

1. Life
2. Food


When one is satisfied, we can move on to the next. Your instinct for survival is THE most powerful drive you have, followed by your drive to eat, then by your drive to mate. NOTHING biological should be able to motivate you to ignore the strongest natural urge that you have.

This is one of the reasons I think love is more than biological.

 

[Illuminatus]

Biology doesnt explain the things people do for love either.

Actually biology should work AGAINST love.

There was a man several years back who stepped between a gunman and his wife and took a bullet to the chest.

Biologically, that man shouldnt have done that.His own survival instincts should have made him stay put. Your instinct for survival is paramount above all else.

That's not true. All through history, people have risked their lives for things. In war, for other people, hell, just to get drug money.

Love is a Pavlonian reaction. Let's say you meet an attractive girl. Your reproductive instincts will kick in, releasing a whole flood of hormones and chemicals. If you knock it off with her, much like Pavlov's dogs, you'll subconsciously associate those biological reactions with the presence or thought of the girl. Hence, love.