Love is an incredibly complicated concept, one that is not only subjective, but also depends on how you use it. There is the romantic love that people often talk about, there is platonic love between friends, and there’s even familial and unconditional love.
There is no clear definition of what love actually is, as it’s a complex emotional phenomenon that’s been subject to debate for centuries. However, most definitions of love tend to include feelings of intense affection, attachment and admiration for another person or thing.
In a relationship, this love can manifest as many different things: a romantic attraction, a desire to be close to someone, or even a desire for sexual gratification. Despite the complexity of the word, it’s important to understand that real love requires a high degree of commitment and effort. If you’re not willing to put in the work, then it’s unlikely that you’ll ever find true happiness.
Throughout history, philosophers, theologians and poets have discussed the concept of love. And in the 20th century, the sciences of psychology and neuroscience have added to our understanding.
Scientists have found that there are three primary types of love: eros, agape and philia. Eros is the passion and attraction that exists between two people in a romantic relationship. Agape is a more long-lasting and mutual type of love that’s shared between friends or family members. And philia is the deep and unconditional love that’s exhibited by parents towards their children.
Romantic love is a common topic of discussion, with many people describing themselves as being “in love.” When you’re in this state, your brain’s reward system lights up and areas of the reptilian core that are associated with cravings activate. In an experiment involving 37 people, researcher Michael Fisher found that when you’re madly in love, you’ll experience the same rush of pleasure as if you had taken cocaine.
In Chinese culture, the word for love is
While there are many different ways that people interpret and define love, the most fundamental aspect of real love is acceptance. You must love your mate for who they are, flaws and all. This is an essential part of a healthy relationship because it allows both of you to be your most authentic selves without worrying that they won’t like it. It also means that you’re not trying to change them or make them into something that you think they should be.