Love
Maslow
Georg Hegel
Ancient Greek
Agape (unconditional or selfless love)
Eros (passion or desire)
Philia (friendship or familial)
Paradoxes of love
Personal desire vs selflessness
Risk of vulnerability and potential for heartbreak
Love can be a source of profound joy and intense suffering
Long-Lasting Love
Role of commitment, forgiveness, empathy, and personal growth
Love is not just an emotion. It is a process of recognising the other person as a self-conscious individual
Family as a Crucible of Love
The family is a microcosm of society where love plays a vital role in shaping ethical values
Love and Belonging is on the third level of the hierarchy of needs
It is a deficiency need because it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation when unmet
Healthy relationships and love can be a source of support and motivation on the path to self-actualisation
Eudaimonia (flourishing life) because they contribute to our moral development and well-being
Metaphysical - Plato, Symposium
True soulmates are two halves of the same whole
Deontology
Treat them as we do ourselves, and not as a means to an end
Aristole - "two bodies one soul"
Hierarchical nature of love. Ranging from animalistic desire to theology that transcends sensual attraction and mutuality
Love respects the unity of two individuals who recognise each others freedom and subjectivity → growth and self-realisation → allows individuals to overcome their own limitations and grow together (helping them replenish their own connection)
My parents marriage - they quarrel and do not perform these romantic gestures to remind each other of one’s commitment - but rather, they pray together for the prosperity of our family unit and work hard to ensure that our entire family is looked after.
While my parents are driven by a more collectivist mindset in demonstration of their love, even though it’s different - it is something that I am starting to appreciate more and more.