Love is often distinguished from other personal attitudes by its distinctive kind of evaluation. This kind of evaluation is thought to account for the “depth” of love. This feature is often disputed and is closely related to questions about justification. Nonetheless, there is no consensus on what constitutes love. Some argue that love consists of a mixture of narcissism and concern for spiritual growth.
Research on love has advanced substantially since Freud’s remarks. However, early attempts to understand love drew skepticism and criticism. In the United States, U.S. Senator William Proxmire called such research a waste of taxpayer dollars. Other researchers claim that love is a social phenomenon and is influenced by several factors, including the presence of hormones and neurotrophins.
Love is an intense and deep feeling for another person. It can also refer to a strong liking or admiration for something. It is the most intense emotion and the opposite of hate. For example, a dog may love its owner, but does not love the owner. This is because love is not sexual in nature. It is an emotional state, which can last a lifetime.
There are several different types of love. There are three main types, including romantic love, pragma, and agape. Some people have a combination of these types of love. In the case of pragma, the relationship is based on mutual understanding and tolerance of differences. It takes years to develop into a pragma-styled love.
The Bible contains many references to love. In Leviticus 19:18, it states: “love your neighbor as yourself”. This is not a self-centered love, but a self-sacrificing and affectionate love. In contrast, the Torah teaches us to love God with all our heart and soul. In addition, we are encouraged to give thanks to God in adversity.
In Chinese culture, the word for love is written as “ren” or “yi”. The word ren is the core concept in Confucianism, which emphasizes duty and attitudes. It focuses on benevolent love through acts of kindness. However, it also stresses loyalty to a king.
If you think that love is an unhealthy emotion, you should seek counseling. This is because love interferes with logical thinking and brain chemicals. For example, people who fall in love experience a dopamine rush, which makes them crave a relationship. Furthermore, sexual desire can influence your thoughts. However, it is important to remember that intense sexual desire is not necessarily love.