I actually know my own personal opinion, but am interested in what others will say.
And random, as in... people talk about 'chemistry', 'magic', and natural attraction.
2007-04-17 14:13:56 · 26 answers · asked by Bleh 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Oh, and, if you could believe it could be both or either one, which do you think would be better?
2007-04-17 14:36:52 · update #1
This is one of the most interesting notions of love I ever read. Robert C. Solomon (September 14, 1942 – January 2, 2007) was a distinguished professor and scholar of continental philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin.
Here is one of his books:
Not Passion's Slave: Emotions and Choice (Oxford, 2003)
His greatest original contribution to philosophy was in his complex theory of emotions.The notion of love, in particular, was of great interest to Solomon. In many of his prominent writings on the subject, Solomon argued against the notion that romantic love is an inherent state of being, maintaining that it is instead a construct of Western culture, popularized and propagated in such a way that it has achieved the status of a universal in the eyes of many. Love for Solomon is not a universal, static quality, but an emotion, subject to the same vicissitudes as other emotions like anger or sadness.
2007-04-17 16:25:14 · answer #1 · answered by t 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't understand how love could be considered a choice.If you're talking about trying a new food for instance you'd have a choice as to loving it or not. You can choose to stop loving somebody that you had really loved until they disappointed you or did something you felt was terrible. I just don't think you can choose to love a person . I think it's one of those things that just jump into your awareness and it's unavoidable. Maybe that's where the randomness comes in,because you never know when it will happen. It happens too. I said I didn't want any more cats :then Scruffy comes along and lo and behold I am madly in love with him. Against my will. Dang it!!.
2007-04-25 17:41:22 · answer #2 · answered by donelle g. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is random. Like body chemistry and natural attraction. You got to be attracted by something to make you choose a person. What made your made that choice? Its attraction and whats that attraction? Body chemistry or physical attraction, its still something random that leads you to make that choice. Please read the following as an example. A girl was asked, "Tell me honestly, would you marry a guy you love very much or a very rich guy?" Her reply was " the rich guy of course!". "Why not the guy you LOVE?" She said, "Look!, if he was not rich in the first place, I would not love him". So, what do you make of this?
2007-04-25 13:34:19 · answer #3 · answered by Vico 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love is not a choice when it comes to human relationships in general. But it can be a choice in other areas -- you love or hate broccoli or chocolate for example. That would be a choice.
There are many kinds of love when it comes to human relationships -- love for your family and friends. The kind of love you speak of that involves "chemistry" is something that is random and unstoppable without a conscious effort. It's components include such things as attraction, compatibility, passion, lust, and so forth. It not only includes a desire for physical intimacy, but an intense desire to connect on all levels--phycical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. If you find this connection with someone, it is indescribable. I don't think most people ever experience this (though I have been blessed to know this kind of love).
However, as we age, this "chemistry" becomes less important as we know more about ourselves through many experiences and we may not feel quite the necessity of it. I have known many happy married couples who did not love each other when they married, but later "learned to love" their mate. This type of love is not without passion, but I would say it could be compared to a burning ember that occasionally erupts into flame. It offers comfort and security as well as companionship.
2007-04-25 12:47:00 · answer #4 · answered by TexasDolly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love can be a choice, but there are different kinds of love. The "chemistry" and "magic" really are chemical reactions to one another those can be most random. But that is lust we are talking about and is very often confused with love.
2007-04-25 16:51:41 · answer #5 · answered by Penny K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it could be both. I know people that have been together and not loved one another but the girl will get pregnant and they own up and stay together for the sake of the baby. They chose to love that person. But sometimes it happens also that you meet someone someday and things just smack you right in the face.
2007-04-25 17:00:20 · answer #6 · answered by sstonedfrogg420 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, in my case, love is definately random! Some times I think that if I had a choice, I might not love my husband, I would find someone who isn't grumpy and doesn't want so much sex!
No doubt I love him though, don't know what I'd do without him some days!
2007-04-17 21:21:21 · answer #7 · answered by Brenda R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ideally, love comes about when two people spend a good deal of time getting to know one another. Great humor, having things in common, trust, great conversation, physical attraction is a real plus.
Often people meet 'by chance', but mature people know to take their time to let love grow between them.Lifelong love is possible when WISELY choosing that special one.
2007-04-17 22:16:55 · answer #8 · answered by Eve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's all three. Chemistry is physical, therefore natural. Nature takes it's course and magical we feel in love.
Love is "magical".
2007-04-25 03:16:57 · answer #9 · answered by redbebeapple 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Attraction is random. But love can be a choice and hard work to keep. Attraction and desire are all about the chemistry.....but it can fade.
2007-04-23 19:42:35 · answer #10 · answered by Kimberly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋