Never seen such a naturalistic approach to love before (yesihave). I suppose you wouldn't posit an external force to the desire behind and ability to love either? Not that we have much ability. If you respond to this, dumb it down a little. I'm not very smart
I don't really understand your question (noidon't). But:
I certainly wouldn't argue that there's some motivation outside ourselves driving us to love, no. I wouldn't have thought many people did, outside of some kind of theological argument.
I'd say that love is even more starkly deterministic than most choices we (seem) to make. When we talk about people being romantically compatible, all we're really saying is that given the correct circumstances those people are more likely to end up together than they're likely to end up with other people. Hence determinism.
Yes: those are the sorts of obvious objections re. determinism that are (hur hur) inevitable.
The pointless point I was making in the OP is that even the 'Romantic' view of Love doesn't typically assume that there's a significant amount of choice involved. Though that's not to deny the experience of struggle over admitting or denying the feeling. Or the recurrent drive to narrativise it.
As is often the case, I don't really think determinism makes much difference to what people want from the concept of Love.
Both love and free will are similar in that whilst we can appreciate the reality of both, the subjective experience of either is something else altogether. And realising that everything is predetermined and love is some sort of atavistic adaptive thing doesn't really detract from their subjective potency.
Exactly. If I make a choice, I still made a choice. It doesn't actually matter if the outcome of the choice was Determined. I had to make the choice without knowledge of that outcome. I was invested in the process of making the choice and could not be otherwise. I experienced it.
I feel arrogant saying this, but looking at the other answers and seeing how philosophically incoherent most of them are makes me realise we're a lot better-read than I often feel I am.
how does ego and pride fit into love? the idea of love is to empty ones self and rank yourself beneath someone else even when you feel your rights are violated. so in so puffed-up an ego stroking conversation i wonder if love is possible at all <3
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I certainly wouldn't argue that there's some motivation outside ourselves driving us to love, no. I wouldn't have thought many people did, outside of some kind of theological argument.
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The pointless point I was making in the OP is that even the 'Romantic' view of Love doesn't typically assume that there's a significant amount of choice involved. Though that's not to deny the experience of struggle over admitting or denying the feeling. Or the recurrent drive to narrativise it.
As is often the case, I don't really think determinism makes much difference to what people want from the concept of Love.
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Both love and free will are similar in that whilst we can appreciate the reality of both, the subjective experience of either is something else altogether. And realising that everything is predetermined and love is some sort of atavistic adaptive thing doesn't really detract from their subjective potency.
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Fuck philosophy! x
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