Seriously. People talk about love as if it is something that 'comes from one's heart'. Obviously this is utter bullshit.

What is love?

EDIT: whoever voted "something special/spiritual/unexplainable" can you expand on that?

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/139/5535/1024/love%20is5%20%282%29.jpg
More.. (http://theendofhumor.blogspot.com/)

love is a biological reflex that activates when you see someone looks like your mother ...

Love is a verb.
It is not some ethereal, undescribable, unattainable emotion floating in the aether.

The connection between people comes from attraction - physical, emotional, intellectual...
Whatever it is you find attracive in a person.
Of course, there is also the ideals of protection, caring, faith, opneness and all the other aspects that make two people attracted to each other.

Love, on the other hand, is simply an action - a decision.
It is treating the person you care with honor and respect.
It is being honest, straight-forward and earning the trust that someone has decided to place in you.
It is being patient, kind and supportive.

"But he loves me."...
When I hear that half of me feels horribly sad and the other half gets viciously angry.
If he did, there would never be a "But" in front of that!

Love is not an excuse, a tool or a damned weapon.
It is not a commodity.
It is not anything but simple respectful treatment for the person you appreciate, desire and value.

"Love" is wholly and painfully insufficient as a noun for so many reasons.
Not the least of which, all that is encompassed when people refer to what they feel as "love", should be so much more (and varied) than a single word could encompass.
I prefer to be more specific.
I care about someone's well-being.
I have compassion for someone.
I feel a strong sexual desire for someone.
I adore someone.
I would die to spare someone's life.
I would kill to spare someone's life.
etc...
"Love" (the noun) performs the same pathetic action that any other "all-encompassing" label performs.
It serves to qualify, quantify and pre-package the vast breadth and depth of an extraordinarily complex, unique and personal experience.
It simplifies that which should most certainly not be simplified.
It limits, restrains and lends a deplorable disservice to the actual experiences by boiling them down, distilling them and compartmentalizing them for mass consumption.

Fuck Hallmak and Disney.
Love is a verb.

Love is a noun also known as : Phenylethylamine

"Phenylethylamine is known as the "love drug" and is thought be be the reason why chocolate is said to be an aphrodisiac. It is a chemical that mimics the brain chemistry of a person in love, so when levels of phenylethylamine are high in the body it relieves depression from unrequited love. This is one of the reasons so many women love chocolate - it really is a mood elevator!"

love is a set of biochemical reactions.

Phenylethylamine to be precise.

Humans are biochemical machines.

I'm horney just reading this thread :-O~

I voted other

Haddaway really really sucks in a painful to the ears kinda way

Baby don't hurt me...

Don't hurt me...

No more.

Baby don't hurt me...

Don't hurt me...

No more.

...The chemistry of love: Phenylethylamine binds to the receptors in the neuroreceptors in the brain to stimulate the "love".

...The chemistry of love: Phenylethylamine binds to the receptors in the neuroreceptors in the brain to stimulate the "love".

If I inject someone with PEA, will they fall in love?:p

Baby don't hurt me...

Don't hurt me...

No more.

Nice song.:D

If I inject someone with PEA, will they fall in love?:p

Love is just a set of complex biochemicaL REACTIONS, in which the PEA plays one of the important roles...no if you inject it...the person will not fall in love.

Love is just a set of complex biochemicaL REACTIONS, in which the PEA plays one of the important roles...no if you inject it...the person will not fall in love.

So why do people fall out of love? Is it PEA deficiency?

So why do people fall out of love? Is it PEA deficiency?

People fall in love because a set of neurological chemical reactions closely resemble that of the opposite sex, the more resemblence...the deeper the love is.

People see a mirrow reflection of their inner-self in that of other being...but that reflection is the neurological state of the human biochemical machine.

If I inject someone with PEA, will they fall in love?:p

Make sure that you are the only person they can see when the injection occurs.

Chemicals.

If I inject someone with PEA, will they fall in love?:p
No. They will quick your ass!!! :D

Evolution designed to keep mates together long enough to rear offspring.

i could never explain why i love anybody, or anything
-walt whitman

love is the virtue of women
-madam dudevant

it's easier to kindle a fire with snow than to quench the fire of love with words
-shakespeare

never self possessed or prudent, love is all abandonment
-emerson

love is loves reward
-dryden

one expresses well the love not felt
-j. a. karr

love is the stuy and business of women
-washington irving

God is love according to the bible. The bible is false so no point saying that really. Meaning though love must be something else other than god.

Love doesn't have magic powers. Love doesnt exist. Suffering and misery do.

If god is love and love is chemicals then chemicals is god.

Are some saying that love doesn't exist? :D

Love doesn't stop you from dying so its not important.

Love doesn't stop you from dying so its not important.

That's not true. It is clearly very useful for our survival.

People fall in love because a set of neurological chemical reactions closely resemble that of the opposite sex, the more resemblence...the deeper the love is.

People see a mirrow reflection of their inner-self in that of other being...but that reflection is the neurological state of the human biochemical machine.

What then is trust in neurological terms, the trust upon which a relationships thrives or fails?

If issues of the human will correspond directly to chemical reactions, that ought then to provide a proof of the human will, so I'd like to know how this would be done.

It is clearly very useful for our survival.

Nope, it is actually counterproductive. Imagine if only people in love were able to breed. Humankind would have been extinct long time ago...

Humans are biochemical machines.

Quoted for truth.

Nope, it is actually counterproductive. Imagine if only people in love were able to breed. Humankind would have been extinct long time ago...

I doubt that's how evolution works. It wouldn't be beneficial at all if only couples in love could conceive. But I guess if the couple are in love it gives that child a higher chance of surviving until it is old enough to look after itself. Remember, these are the days before women became hunter gatherers and had single parent allowance.

I doubt that's how evolution works. It wouldn't be beneficial at all if only couples in love could conceive. But I guess if the couple are in love it gives that child a higher chance of surviving until it is old enough to look after itself. Remember, these are the days before women became hunter gatherers and had single parent allowance.

We have no idea of telling when a female is estrus, so the only sure fire way to impregnate them is have sex everyday for a month.

I doubt that's how evolution works. It wouldn't be beneficial at all if only couples in love could conceive. But I guess if the couple are in love it gives that child a higher chance of surviving until it is old enough to look after itself. Remember, these are the days before women became hunter gatherers and had single parent allowance.

Mother's love for the child is sufficient for rearing the child.

To understand the love between couples, forget evolution and try to love someone.

Baby don't hurt me...

Don't hurt me...

No more.

hah,
u beat me to it!:D

Mother's love for the child is sufficient for rearing the child.

And if there is only one parent?

The mother will find out the ways to rear her child.

otheadp:

Proving that the title of "the man" belongs solely to me.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8651/1151776513whatislovefe0.gif

Hee hee. Couldn't resist.

Ok. Ok.
A straight answer.
Love is action.
Building a house... a life... for someone. That's love.
So many people act as if love is something to be doled out in buckets. Bullshit. Love is nothing without action.

I know the msn version of Love, Luv.

Plato, in the Symposium (http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext99/sympo10.txt), presents some interesting views of love, one of which 'proves' love is neither beautiful nor good.

Plato, in the Symposium (http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext99/sympo10.txt), presents some interesting views of love, one of which 'proves' love is neither beautiful nor good.

I Luv it.

The mother will find out the ways to rear her child.


...Hence would have seriously given the child less of a chance of surviving to pass on it's genes.

she knows the best ways to keep her child alive.

What is love?
A sensitivity and concern for the needs of others.

set of biochemical reactions

set of biochemical reactions

That is what pharmaceutical companies believe.:)

Strangely though, they still include placebos in their drug trials.

It is sometimes said that it is "true love" if you know it within 24 hours - spiritual and unexplainable.

It is sometimes said that it is "true love" if you know it within 24 hours - spiritual and unexplainable.

true love just means the chemicals such as pheromones and the imagery of the body are matching almost perfectly that of the other sex...it means biochemical neurological reactions are almost perfect...that is all..no spiritualism...dualism...suspentialism...just plain science. ...the need for PEA neurotransmitter...the need for "love".

Seriously. People talk about love as if it is something that 'comes from one's heart'. Obviously this is utter bullshit.

What is love?

EDIT: whoever voted "something special/spiritual/unexplainable" can you expand on that?

To Women, love=money! No matter how much the filthy females try to deny it. The Rich guys allways get the pick of the litter. Now I admit, love to me is a attractive, sumbmissive piece of ass. Hey, atleast I'm honest.

true love just means the chemicals such as pheromones and the imagery of the body are matching almost perfectly that of the other sex...it means biochemical neurological reactions are almost perfect...that is all..no spiritualism...dualism...suspentialism...just plain science. ...the need for PEA neurotransmitter...the need for "love".

Money > Chemical reactions!

i could never explain why i love anybody, or anything
-walt whitman

love is the virtue of women
-madam dudevant

it's easier to kindle a fire with snow than to quench the fire of love with words
-shakespeare

never self possessed or prudent, love is all abandonment
-emerson

love is loves reward
-dryden

one expresses well the love not felt
-j. a. karr

love is the stuy and business of women
-washington irvingExcellent.

Love is awesome, and very painful. It's probably the only thing all men have in common, perhaps with the desire for justice.

The problem is too many people only THINK they are in love, when they're not.

EDIT: And yes, love is a bunch of chemical reactions. That doesn't mean it's ONLY that.

That is what pharmaceutical companies believe.:)

Strangely though, they still include placebos in their drug trials.You don't know what a control group is, do you?

That doesn't mean it's ONLY that.

What is it then?

You don't know what a control group is, do you?

So why do they give a placebo to a control group?:)

What is love?
Unconditonal Acceptance.

Love is a mechanical process in the brain: I assume various chemicals interacting with various patterns of action potentials along various patterns of neural networks. Perhaps hormones and neurotransmitters play a part.

You don't know what a control group is, do you?

Baby, don't hurt me.

So why do they give a placebo to a control group?:)You have GOT to be kidding me. That's what a control group IS.

:eek:

You have GOT to be kidding me. That's what a control group IS.

:eek:

Umm, actually a control group can be used as a negative control or a positive control.

Pharmaceutical companies invariably use placebos (known to have no effect).

But if we are all biochemical machines, why do we need placebos in drug trials?

Sandoz, please answer my question above, if at all possible.

But if we are all biochemical machines, why do we need placebos in drug trials?

Because it's useful not to worry? Duh.

Don't understand why placebo's prove we aren't biochemical machines. Perhaps you could explain your hidden agenda.

Because it's useful not to worry? Duh.

Don't understand why placebo's prove we aren't biochemical machines. Perhaps you could explain your hidden agenda.

Placebos are specially chosen because they are known to have NO effects.

So why use them at all?:p

Sandoz, please answer my question above, if at all possible.*sigh* If I knew what love was, I would've answered your question. Or done something different than quote a post which itself lists a bunch of quotes. I can't think of anything else to say about love that I haven't already said.

*sigh* If I knew what love was, I would've answered your question. Or done something different than quote a post which itself lists a bunch of quotes. I can't think of anything else to say about love that I haven't already said.

Hmm, maybe you're going for the wrong men? :)

Placebos are specially chosen because they are known to have NO effects.

So why use them at all?:p

Placebo has a mental effect, that actually influences on your body !!!!
.... so by using a placebo control group and then deduct these results from the group that gets the potent medicine .... then you get the true effect from the potent drug .....

http://skepdic.com/placebo.html

:m:

Placebo has a mental effect, that actually influences on your body !!!!


Why so different then with love, and why so slow to see the point that samcdkey was driving at?

How come the love is supposed to be the influence, the effect but nothing more than that?

Hmm, maybe you're going for the wrong men? :)Experiencing something is not the same thing as knowing what it is.

Nice try.

Placebos are specially chosen because they are known to have NO effects.

So why use them at all?:p

Well before I can give an answer, I need to know why you think this is proof we are not biochemical machines. Stop being coy.

Did anybody say so?

Well when you debate with religious people, the more moderate ones will imply things that they can't possibly say out loud without looking stupid.

Example of this is when they discredit evolution but refuse to state why they refute it or what other explanation they care for.

Well before I can give an answer, I need to know why you think this is proof we are not biochemical machines. Stop being coy.

Power of positive thinking
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/100_heal.html

And negative thinking
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=1789012

Well when you debate with religious people, the more moderate ones will imply things that they can't possibly say out loud without looking stupid.

Example of this is when they discredit evolution but refuse to state why they refute it or what other explanation they care for.

Glad to see your lack of bias :D

Hi Sauna,
"If love were unconditional acceptance the rejection would never hurt, but just be accepted."
If I accept someone unconditonally, I wouldn't interpret their not wanting to see me as rejection. I might miss them, and wish I could see them, but I wouldn't feel rejected. I would say that feeling rejected arises from feeling insecure.
John

Well when you debate with religious people, the more moderate ones will imply things that they can't possibly say out loud without looking stupid.

Example of this is when they discredit evolution but refuse to state why they refute it or what other explanation they care for.

You are no better than religious people in this regard. From your posts, it seems you give sentinence to genes as if they control complex emotions from start to end of peoples' life. Evolution is a blind and unforgiving process, not a sentinent one to enable genes to control love (between mates) for the sake of survival of offsprings.

Are cockroaches better romantics than extinct mamals/birds ?

Seriously. People talk about love as if it is something that 'comes from one's heart'. Obviously this is utter bullshit.

What is love?

EDIT: whoever voted "something special/spiritual/unexplainable" can you expand on that?


Love is when you care about yourself and others.
It's the rational way to live if you want to survive and want your kids to survive.

Hi Sauna,
"If love were unconditional acceptance the rejection would never hurt, but just be accepted."
If I accept someone unconditonally, I wouldn't interpret their not wanting to see me as rejection. I might miss them, and wish I could see them, but I wouldn't feel rejected. I would say that feeling rejected arises from feeling insecure.
John

There is no reason to feel rejected. There is no point. It's a waste of feeling.

If someone rejects you, they havent earned you. Duh.

If you reject them, they havent earned you, duh. The result is the same, why do you want someone who does not want you? Because you feel like it?

The rational answer is usually the right answer, and if someone does not want you, how you feel about it does not matter and will not change the facts. So you should keep going full speed ahead until you meet someone who wants you, and accept that how you feel about it doesnt matter, it's always going to be their decision. Once you recognize that humans are completely free to make these decisions then you'll be more likely to get what you want and not so likely to waste time on people who don't want you and who you don't really need.

Think of it like this, if you love someone, but they can't stand you, the best move is to promote rejection and embrace it. Do you really want to be around someone who cannot accept you at all? Do you want to spend your time on someone who can't stand you?

There will be other people you'll love in the future, feeling love is not a big deal at all, it's more of a big deal when people feel it for you.

The reason placebos work is because human are neuro-biochemical machines...without the electricity to run us...there wouldnt be us. Since humans depends on outside stimuli...like most men are attracted to women image on a monitor...well thats because it invokes a response within them of pleasure perhaps...well with placebos its almost the same thing, humans as biochemical machines are introduced to the idea of better future...this triggers an emotional uplift for some time...the emotional uplift allows more blood to be pumped trhough the body...thus curing the disease/problem faster (if it is curable).

The reason placebos work is because human are neuro-biochemical machines...without the electricity to run us...there wouldnt be us. Since humans depends on outside stimuli...like most men are attracted to women image on a monitor...well thats because it invokes a response within them of pleasure perhaps...well with placebos its almost the same thing, humans as biochemical machines are introduced to the idea of better future...this triggers an emotional uplift for some time...the emotional uplift allows more blood to be pumped trhough the body...thus curing the disease/problem faster (if it is curable).

To make it simple, humans are energy, electricity. Because thats what consciousness is based on.

To make it simple, humans are energy, electricity. Because thats what consciousness is based on.

Exactly. There is no state of love, all it is just set of neuro-biochemical complex responses. that is all.

Draqon, love to you is stickin ya little tin in a hole in the wall.

Draqon, love to you is stickin ya little tin in a hole in the wall.

thats what it is to you. What you described is: what you do with ur little...if you have any at all...tin in a hole in the wall, that is animal instincts gone wrong...you (Nicholas) are mistaking a hole in the wall for breeding female.

Exactly. There is no state of love, all it is just set of neuro-biochemical complex responses. that is all.

I'd say love is a type of energy. To be specific, it's unity. If you reverse the big bang you'd go back to a point right?

Love is that point of absolute unity. That's what it feels like because humans are capable of being a unit just as much as the atomic world is capable of this. When humans unite, they call it love. It can happen during sporting events, when everyone for a moment is feeling that energy.

It can also happen on a personal level, but this is a bit different. Most humans love very few people if any.
Most love only those closest to them. Some humans love lots of people but then again thats the extreme just like some humans hate lots of people in the extreme.

I'd say love is a type of energy. To be specific, it's unity. If you reverse the big bang you'd go back to a point right?

Love is that point of absolute unity. That's what it feels like because humans are capable of being a unit just as much as the atomic world is capable of this. When humans unite, they call it love. It can happen during sporting events, when everyone for a moment is feeling that energy.

It can also happen on a personal level, but this is a bit different. Most humans love very few people if any.
Most love only those closest to them. Some humans love lots of people but then again thats the extreme just like some humans hate lots of people in the extreme.

I agree 100%. That is exactly how I see love, a energy unification, absolute unity.

Hi Dragon,
"all it is just set of neuro-biochemical complex responses. that is all."
So, would you say that all emotions and thoughts fall into this category of "neuro-biochemical complex responses"?
John

Hi Dragon,
"all it is just set of neuro-biochemical complex responses. that is all."
So, would you say that all emotions and thoughts fall into this category of "neuro-biochemical complex responses"?
John

yes.

Hi Dragon,
.....My problem with reductionism (I hope this is the right tag) is that below a certain level it seems to loose any resemblance to the original. I don't doubt that, on some level, you're right. It's just that I'm not sure what practical application it has to the original question, i.e. what is love? It's like trying to define a screwdriver in terms of its atomic, or chemical composition. Does this make any sense to you?
John

Hi Dragon,
.....My problem with reductionism (I hope this is the right tag) is that below a certain level it seems to loose any resemblance to the original. I don't doubt that, on some level, you're right. It's just that I'm not sure what practical application it has to the original question, i.e. what is love? It's like trying to define a screwdriver in terms of its atomic, or chemical composition. Does this make any sense to you?
John

you are correct there. Its just that saying that love is a: passion and tenderness, emotions and exhibilirating unity and closeness to each other....well it is just not practical as noone really knows what love really is all about...yeah its sex...yeah reproduction...yes emotions...but its just so much more than that. So Im just making life simple...love is a set of neuro-biochemical reactions...because I as an atheist do not believe in God, and I do not believe in any heaven or hell, just this life, and humans. I believe in everything that has proof...love is so complex and random...that finding much proof for what it really is about is impossible. As for the time being, until I find my love...I classify love as: set of neuro-biochemical reactions...but thats me.

Hi Dragon,
.....Yes, of course everything you say is true. For me - love as 'uncondtional acceptance' is as close as I can come.
John

Hi,
I've been thinking of late that love has to have an element of vulnerability, you must be able to be hurt by the person you love.
John

Seriously. People talk about love as if it is something that 'comes from one's heart'. Obviously this is utter bullshit.

What is love?

EDIT: whoever voted "something special/spiritual/unexplainable" can you expand on that?
Godliness

'a'