All You Need
Asking for a friend, is all.
What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
The only universal catalogue with more references than the Bible to the word love, is the complete lyrics of the Beatles: look it up.
Anyhow.
Modern psychiatrists have a long list of mental disorders in DSM-5 manual involving obsessions, natural and unnatural. In an oblique way, many can be considered offshoots of normal human psychology involving the process and function called love.
Before exploring these, a quick review of ancient sources is in order.
The words derived from Greek, more or less, include include Agape, Eros, Ludus, Mania, Meraki, Philautia, Philia, Pragma, and Storge
Young adults think they have an exclusive handle on the function and execution of love, more than do young children. However, it is not possible to speak of interactions among members of a family of individuals of all ages, without using this word.
The species of love has a number of features that define it. Who is involved? What activities are involved? Are both parties consensual? Is it culturally appropriate? What advantages, disadvantages, benefits or harm result?
Agape is love in its highest spiritual form.
Eros is the physical act of lovemaking.
Ludus is playful and lighthearted, flirtatious, excited, lacking long-term emotional attachment. This may be my favorite at any age.
Mania is irrational emotional attachment with jealousy, and possessiveness. This, of course, is a least favorite although we are all guilty.
Meraki is the passion for an interest or activity, not a person. I am thinking, stamp collection, but I might be mistaken, or golf.
Philautia is self-love, and concern for one’s own welfare or appearance. This is a very significant driver of all human behavior; origin of warfare; of tribalism; of venality ad greed. Not good but prevalent. (You know who you are…).
Philia is a deep friendship or brotherly love. This may apply to soldiers and old teammates past their peak. It motivates some of our better angels, if I understand the intent and etymology.
Pragma concerns long-term, stable relationships that emphasize mutual concern and pragmatic association. The oldies but goodies who celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary, and have survived the worst domestic quarrels long since.
Storge is natural affection within family. Your favorite sister. Your daughter or Big Brother. Your parents or that special grandparent or uncle with whom you sync far better than your own natural parents.
This become tedious and pedantic after about three types and is provided for future consideration only.
Notes.
I have many other posts where love in its various forms plays a role. For now, let’s leave it at Happy Valentines to all.