61-404: Surname Liebe (German for " love ") is a surname that may refer to: Middle name Given name Love Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states , from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection , to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of
122-597: A spouse , which differs from the love of food . Most commonly, love refers to a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment . Love is considered to be both positive and negative, with its virtue representing human kindness , compassion , and affection —"the unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the good of another"—and its vice representing a human moral flaw akin to vanity , selfishness , amour-propre , and egotism . It may also describe compassionate and affectionate actions towards other humans, oneself, or animals. In its various forms, love acts as
183-399: A thought-terminating cliché . Several common proverbs regard love, from Virgil 's " Love conquers all " to The Beatles ' " All You Need Is Love ". St. Thomas Aquinas , following Aristotle , defines love as "to will the good of another." Bertrand Russell describes love as a condition of "absolute value," as opposed to relative value . Philosopher Gottfried Leibniz said that love
244-903: A triangular theory of love in which love has three components: intimacy, commitment, and passion. Intimacy is when two people share confidences and various details of their personal lives, and is usually shown in friendships and romantic love affairs. Commitment is the expectation that the relationship is permanent. Passionate love is shown in infatuation as well as romantic love. All forms of love are viewed as varying combinations of these three components. Non-love does not include any of these components. Liking only includes intimacy. Infatuated love only includes passion. Empty love only includes commitment. Romantic love includes both intimacy and passion. Companionate love includes intimacy and commitment. Fatuous love includes passion and commitment. Consummate love includes all three components. American psychologist Zick Rubin sought to define love by psychometrics in
305-428: A conscious choice that in its early stages might originate as an involuntary feeling, but which then later no longer depends on those feelings, but rather depends only on conscious commitment. Evolutionary psychology has attempted to provide various reasons for love as a survival tool. Humans are dependent on parental help for a large portion of their lifespans compared to other mammals. Love has therefore been seen as
366-479: A deeper understanding of love within Jewish thought and life. It goes beyond mere passion, embodying a character trait that is actively expressed through generosity and grace. Hesed has a dual nature: when attributed to God, it denotes grace or favor, while when practiced by humans, it reflects piety and devotion. Hasidim , demonstrate their commitment and love for God through acts of hesed . The Torah serves as
427-446: A few unusual and specific domains, such as immune systems , it seems that humans prefer others who are unlike themselves (e.g., with an orthogonal immune system), perhaps because this will lead to a baby that has the best of both worlds. In recent years, various human bonding theories have been developed, described in terms of attachments, ties, bonds, and affinities. Some Western authorities disaggregate into two main components,
488-421: A general liking for arts, sports, and objects, while also encompassing a human instinct. Priti is built on foundations of trust and fidelity. Friendly relations ( priti ) may persist between individuals but are not necessarily bound by affection ( sneha ). Vatsalya originally signifies the tender affection exhibited by a cow towards her calf, extending to denote the love nurtured by elders or superiors towards
549-556: A guide, outlining how Israelites should express their love for God, show reverence for nature, and demonstrate compassion toward fellow human beings. The commandment "Love thy neighbor as thyself" from the Torah's, gives emphasis on ethical obligations and impartiality in judgment. It highlights the importance of treating all individuals equally before the law, rejecting favoritism and bribery; deuteronomy further emphasizes impartiality in judgment. As for love between marital partners, this
610-431: A half to three years. Since the lust and attraction stages are both considered temporary, a third stage is needed to account for long-term relationships. Attachment is the bonding that promotes relationships lasting for many years and even decades. Attachment is generally based on commitments such as marriage and children, or mutual friendship based on things like shared interests. It has been linked to higher levels of
671-536: A harmful mutation , but in the progeny produced by sexual reproduction, expression of a harmful mutation introduced by one parent is likely to be masked by expression of the unaffected homologous gene from the other parent. Biological models of love tend to see it as a mammalian drive, similar to hunger or thirst. Psychology sees love as more of a social and cultural phenomenon. Love is influenced by hormones (such as oxytocin ), neurotrophins (such as NGF ), and pheromones , and how people think and behave in love
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#1732775958855732-1205: A major facilitator of interpersonal relationships , and owing to its central psychological importance, is one of the most common themes in the creative arts . Love has been postulated to be a function that keeps human beings together against menaces and to facilitate the continuation of the species . Ancient Greek philosophers identified six forms of love : familial love ( storge ), friendly love or platonic love ( philia ), romantic love ( eros ), self-love ( philautia ), guest love ( xenia ), and divine or unconditional love ( agape ). Modern authors have distinguished further varieties of love: fatuous love , unrequited love , empty love , companionate love , consummate love , infatuated love ( limerence ), amour de soi , and courtly love . Numerous cultures have also distinguished Ren , Yuanfen , Mamihlapinatapai , Cafuné , Kama , Bhakti , Mettā , Ishq , Chesed , Amore , charity , Saudade (and other variants or symbioses of these states ), as culturally unique words, definitions, or expressions of love in regard to specified "moments" currently lacking in
793-475: A mechanism to promote parental support of children for this extended time period. Furthermore, researchers as early as Charles Darwin identified unique features of human love compared to other mammals and credited love as a major factor for creating social support systems that enabled the development and expansion of the human species. Another factor may be that sexually transmitted diseases can cause, among other effects, permanently reduced fertility , injury to
854-557: A person or thing (cf. vulnerability and care theory of love ), including oneself (cf. narcissism ). In addition to cross-cultural differences in understanding love, ideas about love have also changed greatly over time. Some historians date modern conceptions of romantic love to courtly Europe during or after the Middle Ages , although the prior existence of romantic attachments is attested by ancient love poetry. The complex and abstract nature of love often reduces its discourse to
915-566: A range of emotional states, including distrust, rejection, and anger, leading to trauma and various psychological challenges such as anxiety, social withdrawal, and even love addiction. Individuals may become fixated on past relationships, perpetuating emotional distress akin to addiction. Health benefits grow bigger when married couples are older, this is because the partners play a crucial role in promoting each other's well-being. A loving relationship with God has significant impact on health. Greek distinguishes several different senses in which
976-413: A reflection of God's beauty and love. This perspective is evident in the poetry of Hafez and others, where the concept of tajalli , or divine self-manifestation, underscores the profound spiritual significance of love as it pertains to both human relationships and devotion to God. In Hebrew , אהבה ( ahavah ) signifies the love of Israelites for God and each other. However, the concept hesed offers
1037-667: A strong liking of something, such as "I love popcorn" or that something is essential to one's identity, such as "I love being an actor". People can have a profound dedication and immense appreciation for an object, principle, or objective, thereby experiencing a sense of love towards it. For example, compassionate outreach and volunteer workers' "love" of their cause may sometimes be born not of interpersonal love but impersonal love, altruism , and strong spiritual or political convictions. People can also "love" material objects, animals, or activities if they invest themselves in bonding or otherwise identifying with those things. If sexual passion
1098-423: A universal definition. Although the nature or essence of love is a subject of frequent debate, different aspects of the word can be clarified by determining what is not love (antonyms of "love"). Love, as a general expression of positive sentiment (a stronger form of like ), is commonly contrasted with hate (or neutral apathy ). As a less sexual and more emotionally intimate form of romantic attachment, love
1159-433: Is preska , characterized by the desire to see something pleasant. Next is abhilasa, involving constant thoughts about the beloved. Then comes raga, signifying the mental inclination to be united with the beloved. Following that is shena , which involves favorable activities directed towards the beloved. Prema is the stage where one cannot live without the beloved. Then there is rati , which involves living together with
1220-437: Is "to be delighted by the happiness of another." Meher Baba stated that in love there is a "feeling of unity" and an "active appreciation of the intrinsic worth of the object of love." Biologist Jeremy Griffith defines love as "unconditional selflessness". According to Ambrose Bierce , love is a temporary insanity curable by marriage. People can express love towards things other than humans; this can range from expressing
1281-549: Is also involved, then this feeling is called paraphilia . Interpersonal love refers to love between human beings. It is a much more potent sentiment than liking a person. Unrequited love refers to feelings of love that are not reciprocated. Interpersonal love is most closely associated with interpersonal relationships . Such love might exist between family members, friends, and couples. There are several psychological disorders related to love, such as erotomania . Throughout history, philosophy and religion have speculated about
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#17327759588551342-412: Is an affliction distorting reality, a primal urge rooted in the biological need for species to propagate. He emphasizes love's futility and self-destructive nature. In contrast, Ovid acknowledges the pleasure of love alongside its risks and complexities. He views love as a game of manipulation and deception, marked by a blend of hedonism and cynicism . Ovid recognizes the transient nature of passion and
1403-481: Is commonly contrasted with lust . As an interpersonal relationship with romantic overtones, love is sometimes contrasted with friendship , although the word love is often applied to close friendships or platonic love. Further possible ambiguities come with usages like "girlfriend", "boyfriend", and "just good friends". Abstractly discussed, love usually refers to a feeling one person experiences for another person. Love often involves caring for, or identifying with,
1464-413: Is considered a romantically phrased metaphor of love between God and his people, but in its plain reading it reads like a love song. The 20th-century rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler is frequently quoted as defining love from the Jewish point of view as "giving without expecting to take". Greek words for love Ancient Greek philosophy differentiates main conceptual forms and distinct words for
1525-412: Is deemed an essential ingredient to life: "See life with the wife you love" ( Ecclesiastes 9:9 ). Rabbi David Wolpe writes that "love is not only about the feelings of the lover... It is when one person believes in another person and shows it." He further states that "love... is a feeling that expresses itself in action. What we really feel is reflected in what we do." The biblical book Song of Solomon
1586-411: Is influenced by their conceptions of love. The conventional view in biology is that there are two major drives in love: sexual attraction and attachment . Attachment between adults is presumed to work on the same principles that lead an infant to become attached to its mother. The traditional psychological view sees love as being a combination of companionate love and passionate love. Passionate love
1647-484: Is intense longing, and is often accompanied by physiological arousal (shortness of breath, rapid heart rate); companionate love is affection and a feeling of intimacy not accompanied by physiological arousal. Love plays a role in human well-being and health. Engaging in activities associated with love, such as nurturing relationships, has been shown to activate key brain regions responsible for emotion, attention, motivation, and memory. These activities also contribute to
1708-403: Is not merely a feeling but is also actions, and that in fact the "feeling" of love is superficial in comparison to one's commitment to love via a series of loving actions over time. Fromm held that love is ultimately not a feeling at all, but rather is a commitment to, and adherence to, loving actions towards another, oneself, or many others, over a sustained duration. Fromm also described love as
1769-437: Is the feeling of sexual desire ; romantic attraction determines what partners find attractive and pursue, conserving time and energy by choosing ; and attachment involves sharing a home, parental duties, mutual defense, and in humans involves feelings of safety and security. Three distinct neural circuitries, including neurotransmitters, and three behavioral patterns, are associated with these three romantic styles. Lust
1830-453: Is the initial passionate sexual desire that promotes mating , and involves the increased release of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen . These effects rarely last more than a few weeks or months. Attraction is the more individualized and romantic desire for a specific candidate for mating, which develops out of lust as commitment to an individual mate form. Recent studies in neuroscience have indicated that as people fall in love,
1891-571: The Harshacharita presents a spontaneous perspective, suggesting it lacks a definitive cause. Due to its emotional nature, sneha is transient, emerging without reason and disappearing likewise. Preman represents a heightened stage in the development of love, characterized by the unbearable feeling of separation from the beloved. Etymologically, it denotes the sense of endearment akin to one's own. Priti , similar to preman , denotes fondness for anything delightful and familiar. It encompasses
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1952-488: The 1970s. His work identifies a different set of three factors that constitute love: attachment, caring, and intimacy. Following developments in electrical theories such as Coulomb's law , which showed that positive and negative charges attract, analogs in human life were envisioned, such as "opposites attract". Research on human mating has generally found this not to be true when it comes to character and personality—people tend to like people similar to themselves. However, in
2013-467: The English language. The color wheel theory of love defines three primary, three secondary, and nine tertiary love styles, describing them in terms of the traditional color wheel. The triangular theory of love suggests intimacy, passion, and commitment are core components of love. Love has additional religious or spiritual meaning. This diversity of uses and meanings, combined with the complexity of
2074-452: The Taoist text, Daodejing , is depicted as open and responsive to each person's unique circumstances. Taoism juxtaposes human beings with the vastness of nature, likening the creation of people to the formation of waves in the ocean. Unlike Confucianism, as portrayed in the Taoist text Zhuangzi , Taoist responses to the loss of a beloved may involve either mourning their death or embracing
2135-458: The adaptive benefit of sexual reproduction as opposed to asexual reproduction. Richard Michod reviewed evidence that love, and consequently sexual reproduction, provides two major adaptive advantages. First, sexual reproduction facilitates repair of damages in the DNA that is passed from parent to progeny (during meiosis , a key stage of the sexual process). Second, a gene in either parent may contain
2196-474: The affection between friends. Cicero , in his essay On Friendship reflects on the innate human tendency to both love oneself and seek out another with whom to intertwine minds, nearly blending them into a singular entity. This suggests that while friends remain distinct individuals, they also, in some sense, become intertwined, embodying a shared essence. Lucretius perceives love as a disruptive and irrational force, leading to madness and despair. To him, it
2257-446: The altruistic and the narcissistic. This view is represented in the works of Scott Peck , whose work in the field of applied psychology explored the definitions of love and evil. Peck maintains that love is a combination of the "concern for the spiritual growth of another" and simple narcissism. In combination, love is an activity , not simply a feeling. Psychologist Erich Fromm maintained in his book The Art of Loving that love
2318-461: The beloved. Finally, srngara represents the playful interaction with the beloved. Kama initially representing desire and longing. Later, Vātsyāyana , the author of the Kama Sutra , explored the concept of kama , defining it as the enjoyment of sensory pleasures with conscious awareness. However, there were also teachings cautioning against becoming overly attached to desire, advocating for
2379-432: The brain consistently releases a certain set of chemicals, including the neurotransmitter hormones dopamine , norepinephrine , and serotonin , the same compounds released by amphetamine , stimulating the brain's pleasure center and leading to side effects such as increased heart rate , reduced appetite and sleep , and an intense feeling of excitement . Research indicates that this stage generally lasts from one and
2440-425: The chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin , to a greater degree than what is found in short-term relationships. Enzo Emanuele and coworkers reported the protein molecule known as the nerve growth factor (NGF) has high levels when people first fall in love, but these return to previous levels after one year. Psychology depicts love as a cognitive and social phenomenon. Psychologist Robert Sternberg formulated
2501-671: The concept of creation stems from love, viewed as the fundamental essence from which all beings originate and to which they ultimately return. This notion, influenced by neoplatonism , portrays love as both earthly and transcendent, embodying a universal striving for reunion with the divine. Scholars such as Abdolhossein Zarrinkoob trace this philosophical stance, highlighting its fusion with ancient Persian religious beliefs in figures like Ibn Arabi . According to Islamicists like William Chittick and Leonard Lewisohn , all forms of love find their origin in divine love, with creation serving as
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2562-409: The divine, highlighting a transcendent experience. The children of Adam are limbs of one body Having been created of one essence. When the calamity of time afflicts one limb The other limbs cannot remain at rest. If you have no sympathy for the troubles of others You are not worthy to be called by the name of "man". Sa'di , Gulistan In Persian mysticism ,
2623-424: The emotional facet of love, stands in contrast to the intense passion of kama with its calm demeanor. Characterized by moisture and viscosity, the term originally denoted oiliness. It is often compounded with words for family members, reflecting attachment to individuals like mothers, fathers, and sons. Those experiencing sneha tend to exhibit great concern for one another. While traditionally attributed to sensing,
2684-518: The feelings involved, makes love unusually difficult to consistently define, compared to other emotional states. The word "love" can have a variety of related but distinct meanings in different contexts. Many other languages use multiple words to express some of the different concepts that in English are denoted as "love"; one example is the plurality of Greek concepts for "love" ( agape , eros , philia , storge ). Cultural differences in conceptualizing love makes it difficult to establish
2745-409: The fetus, and increase complications during childbirth . This would favor monogamous relationships over polygamy . Interpersonal love between a man and woman provides an evolutionary adaptive benefit since it facilitates mating and sexual reproduction . However, some organisms can reproduce asexually without mating. Understanding the adaptive benefit of interpersonal love depends on understanding
2806-504: The gap between the human and the divine. Ren's significance lies in its ability to foster genuine human connection and empathy, laying the foundation for harmonious relationships within society. Mozi, a Chinese philosopher, articulated a philosophy centered on the principle of universal love. At the core of his teachings lay the belief that genuine harmony and societal well-being could only be achieved through love for others, transcending narrow self-interest. Mozi contended that universal love
2867-851: The inevitable disappointment in romantic relationships. Ren (仁), a concept in Confucianism philosophy, embodies the essence of humanity and virtue. It is regarded as the sum of all virtues within a person, encompassing traits such as selflessness and self-cultivation. Ren emphasizes the cultivation of harmonious relationships within society, starting from the family unit and extending outward. Within Confucianism, these relationships are delineated by five main categories: father-son, older brother-younger brother, husband-wife, older friend-younger friend, and lord-servant. In Confucianism, one displays benevolent love by performing actions such as filial piety from children, kindness from parents, loyalty to
2928-410: The king and so forth. Central to the concept of Ren is the notion of reciprocity and empathetic understanding. It is often interpreted as akin to love (愛, ài ), but sometimes it also considered a stage between ài and ling , characterized by the sincere and open-hearted expression of human feelings. Through genuine love for others, individuals cultivate Ren and foster deeper connections that bridge
2989-467: The loss and finding joy in new creations. Daoist love seeks connections that surpass distinctions and superficial reflections. The Japanese language uses three words to convey the English equivalent of love — ai ( 愛 ) , koi ( 恋 or 孤悲 ) and ren'ai ( 恋愛 ) . The term ai carries a multiple meanings, encompassing feelings of feelings from superior to inferiors, compassion and empathy towards others and selfless love, originally referred to beauty and
3050-449: The modern term ren'ai ; its usage more closely resembles that of koi in the form of romantic love. The concept amae ( 甘え ) , the dependency and emotional bonds between an infant and its mother—a bond that lays the foundation for the archetypal concept of love. Japanese culture traditionally distinguishes between marriage and love, valuing practical considerations and complementarity within family units. In ancient India , there
3111-490: The phenomenon of love. In the 20th century, the science of psychology has studied the subject. The sciences of anthropology , neuroscience , and biology have also added to the understanding of the concept of love. Biological models of sex tend to view love as a mammalian drive, much like hunger or thirst. Helen Fisher , an anthropologist and human behavior researcher, divides the experience of love into three partly overlapping stages: lust, attraction, and attachment. Lust
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#17327759588553172-498: The pursuit of genuine happiness through transcending desires. The Atharvaveda , presents kama as the tender affection between partners. Nevertheless, kama is also often associated with insatiable sexual desire intertwined with intense emotions like anger and greed, portraying it as potentially harmful. Over time, kama took on anthropomorphic qualities, evolving into the figure of the Indian Cupid. Sneha , considered
3233-421: The regulation of the autonomic nervous system , leading to stress reduction over time, although the initial stages of love may induce stress. Love's social bonds enhance both physical and mental health, fostering resilience, compassion, and closeness. It boosts immune function and promotes healing, while also encouraging positive motivations and behaviors for individual flourishing and survival. Breakups can evoke
3294-553: The selection of rulers and the structuring of society, emphasizing reciprocity and egalitarianism as foundational principles for a harmonious social order. In Taoism , the concept of 慈 ( ci ) embodies compassion or love, with connotations of tender nurturing akin to a mother's care. It emphasizes the idea that creatures can only thrive through raising and nurturing. Ci serves as the wellspring of compassion or love that transcends preconceived notions of individuals, instead fostering compassion for people as they are. Love, as depicted in
3355-553: The term koi generally represented romantic love. Koi describes a longing for a member of the opposite sex and is typically interpreted as selfish and wanting. The term's origins come from the concept of lonely solitude as a result of separation from a loved one. Though modern usage of koi focuses on sexual love and infatuation, the Manyō used the term to cover a wider range of situations, including tenderness, benevolence, and material desire. The fusion of ai and koi gave rise to
3416-438: The transcendent nature of love. These interpretations emphasize Rumi's rejection of mortal attachments in favor of a love for the ultimate beloved, seen as embodying absolute beauty and grandeur. Scholars like William Chittick assert that all love stems from the divine, with God being both lover and beloved. Leonard Lewisohn characterizes Rumi's poetry as part of a mystical tradition that celebrates love as pathways to union with
3477-447: The word "love" is used. Ancient Greeks identified three main forms of love: friendship and/or platonic desire ( philia ), sexual and/or romantic desire ( eros ), and self-emptying or divine love ( agape ). Modern authors have distinguished further varieties of romantic love. In Latin, friendship was distinctly termed amicitia, while amor encompassed erotic passion, familial attachment, and, albeit less commonly,
3538-431: The younger or inferior. This love is exemplified in the affection of parents towards their children, a husband's care for his wife, or a ruler's concern for their subjects. Conversely, bhakti denotes the love expressed by the younger towards the seniors, exemplified in a child's devotion to their parents. Interpretations of Rumi's poetry and Sufi cosmology by scholars emphasize a divine-centric perspective, focusing on
3599-518: Was a understanding of erotics and the art of love. References in the Rigveda suggest the presence of romantic narratives in ancient Indo-Aryan society, evident in dialogues between deities like Yama and Yami , and Pururavas and Urvashi . The Sanskrit language , offered various terms to convey the concept of love, such as kama, sneha, priya, vatsalya, bhakti , priti and prema . In Indian literature, there are seven stages of love. The first
3660-604: Was not merely an abstract concept but a practical imperative, requiring individuals to actively promote the welfare of all members of society through their actions. In Mozi's philosophical framework, universal love was not only a moral obligation but also a divine principle originating from Heaven itself. He argued that this principle was exemplified through the actions of sage-kings from ancient times, who demonstrated how love could manifest in tangible ways within human interactions. Mozi's advocacy for universal love extended beyond interpersonal relationships; he believed it should guide
3721-421: Was often used in a religious context. Initially synonymous with koi , representing romantic love between a man and a woman, emphasizing its physical expression, ai underwent a transformation during the early Meiji era . It evolved into a euphemistic term for renbo ( 恋慕 ) or love attachment, signifying a shift towards a more egalitarian treatment and consideration of others as equals. Prior to Western influence,
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