%% date:: [[2023-08-13]], [[2023-08-31]] parent:: %% # [[Love]] Love is an intense emotion for a person, coupled with some degree of desire for intimacy. The modern view of love is of *romantic* love, which does not encompass all possible types. ## Forms of love [[Aristotle]] and [[Plato]] identified different types of love, each one represented by a Greek word that is more nuanced. [^love] ### Eros Eros is the root word of [[Eroticism]], and it's also the name of the son of [[Aphrodite]], Greek goddess of love. Eros is often what is referred to by "romantic love", because it is passionate, sexual, and sensual love. ### Philia Philia is a deep emotional intimacy and a desire to help a person grow authentically into their own self. It can be expressed within a friendship, but romantic relationships also benefit from philia love. ### Storge Storge is familial love and devotion. It is often asymmetrical, as is the case when a parent feels storge love for a young child who cannot yet reciprocate. ### Agape Agape is [[Altruism]] or charity, or, more antiquatedly, piety (a love for god). Agape is utterly selfless and is wholly focused on the other. ### Ludus Ludus is a type of love born out of [[Play]]: it is the joyful exploration together that can result in [[Flirtation]] and [[Seduction]] but does not include a deep commitment. It's often mistaken for Eros. ### Pragma Pragma love is a practical love that is born out of a sense of duty. This can combine with Storge to evoke a sense of familial obligation. It's a passionless, quiet conviction in working towards shared goals. ### Philautia Philautia is self-love and self-esteem. ## Love-adjacent topics - [[Limerence]] - [[Sex]] [^love]: Burton, N. (2016). *These are the 7 types of love*. Retrieved on August 13th, 2023 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201606/these-are-the-7-types-love