Philosophy of Love

[Sushan]

This topic is about the August 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, Living in Color: A Love Story, In Sickness and in Health by Mike Murphy

...love is the only thing that really matters.

(Location 94 - Kindle version)

This quote is frequently found in romance related literature. People (including philosophers) have said and say many things about love. But philosophically speaking, what exactly is love? And what exactly is its role in human lives? Is it the only thing that really matters, as suggested by the above quote?

[stevie]

This topic is about the August 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, Living in Color: A Love Story, In Sickness and in Health by Mike Murphy

...love is the only thing that really matters.

(Location 94 - Kindle version)

This quote is frequently found in romance related literature. People (including philosophers) have said and say many things about love.

That's true. E.g. christians may say that although love is essential and indispensable it is not "the only thing that really matters" because at least faith is equally important.

But philosophically speaking, what exactly is love?

"philosophically speaking"?

And what exactly is its role in human lives?

Honestly I don't know. I think the word "love" is one of these words that inspires many associations and thoughts depending on cultural conditioning and individual life situation but of which there is no evident basis.

Is it the only thing that really matters, as suggested by the above quote?

Not according to christians, s.above. And for many materialists and our culture money is more important.

[Gee]

This topic is about the August 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, Living in Color: A Love Story, In Sickness and in Health by Mike Murphy

...love is the only thing that really matters.

(Location 94 - Kindle version)

But philosophically speaking, what exactly is love?

It is bonding, connection, the glue that holds consciousness and life together. Of course, hate does the same thing, but hate does it in a way that is destructive, damaging, so love is better.

Gee

[Angelo Cannata]

what exactly is love? And what exactly...

You will never understand love if you approach it with such a mentality of "exactly". "Exactly" is good for math, science, analysis. If somebody tells you "2+2=4", you can answer "What does exactly mean 4?": that's ok. If somebody tells you "I love you", answering "What does exactly love mean?" means that you are not connected with your heart.