Is there Scientific Proof That Love exists?

Question

Or do we just know it is there because we feel it? ( I am speaking of love, not attraction) such as a parents love for a child.

My reason for asking the question was to show that even though there is no scientific proof of a parents love for a child (the things people talked about like hormones etc...is in reference to the love of a mate) That we know it exists because we feel it.
This is the same as how people believe in God feel. We know He exists because we feel Him and thus require no scientific evidence.
I am a mother and I love my son endlessly and undeniably.

Answer 1

I think that the "brainwaves" that people are talking about is when your body gets excited, or nervous in other words. its lusting after someone, not loving them

Answer 2

To evaluate Love from a philosophical perspective requires that we look at the varied ways in which it is expressed, exchanged, etc. A philosophical theory of Love would be incredibly complicated. A SCIENTIFIC proof of Love is not possible in your terminology, because Love can't be defined acceptably. How can a scientist prove something that can't be defined? It's a nonsensical question; it simply makes no sense. If we define Love as "a certain feeling", we can measure chemical and electrical activity in the brain and body, which gives us some kind of idea what is going on, and a kind of benchmark for people who say they are in Love.

A philosopher however, would be concerned with the kind of CLAIM that is being made when one says "Love exists."
Is it the same kind of claim when someone says "God exists"? The short answer is no, the two claims are VERY different. Love is the word we give to certain types of social interactions, whereas most believers in God insist that God is an entity of a certain type that makes certain actions in our world.

Answer 3

Yes, scientist have shown there is a biological component to Love.

Recent studies in neuroscience have indicated that as people fall in love, the brain consistently releases a certain set of chemicals, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which act similar to amphetamines, stimulating the brain's pleasure center and leading to side-effects such as an increased heart rate, loss of appetite and sleep, and an intense feeling of excitement. Research has indicated that this stage generally lasts from one and a half to three years.

Answer 4

It's perfectly measurable. But in fact you don't even need to do that: love is an instinctive emotion, and like all of these it's a piece of pre-programmed behaviour that makes us behave in ways that are ultimately beneficial to us.

Imagine if some mutant was born who didn't love her children. That mutation wouldn't last long, would it?

Deaf chickens live, mate, lay eggs and incubate them correctly. When the chicks hatch, the hen kills and eats them - because she can't hear the peeping sounds that trigger her maternal response. And yet don't normal chickens show exactly the behaviour of a loving and careful mom?

CD

Answer 5

There was an article several months ago about the effects of love on the brain in National Geographic. Worth checking out. But I agree with others, if you experience it why does it matter if there is scientific proof? Go with your heart.

Answer 6

It's chemical (pheromones), psychological in upkeep (two outta three science words aint bad, but the third: demonstable is held as conjecture by many people, but the Christians have accepted this proof from the Bible with John 3:16, "For God so loved the world He gave his only begotten son..."

Answer 7

Interesting question. Since I KNOW that it exists it never even occurred to me to ask for proof of it. Perhaps someone knows of a scientific study that proves it or makes the likelihood of it small. It would be interesting reading but in the end it would not change my belief that love exists.

Answer 8

Of course not; it isn't a mechanistic phenomena. It is based on metaphysical properties. That's why godless peoples cannot love. They may feel a certain biological affinity for their offspring,but that;s about; only carnality results in attachment. It's interesting to note that irrespective of religion - and I'm even including Islam or Buddhism - religious people do experience love. Atheists do not. Only hatred and cruelty,avarice and lust. That's why Christians - all religions,probably - consider them evil.

Answer 9

We cannot prove what we cannot define. And I do not think it is possible to seriously define love in scientific terms. Attraction, yes; we can measure that in various ways. But love is something deeper, more diverse, and way harder to pin down. Believe me, philosophers and poets have tried for centuries.

You can "prove" it exists yourself by loving. But of course that is not scientific, but personal experience.

Remember: The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.

Answer 10

Yes, science has proven that there is a biological component to love, which includes the release of endorphins (the lover's high), changes in hormones, and in brain waves.

Answer 11

if you were a parent , you would not ask if love exists. The day I became a mother I understood the real meaning of Love. I knew that day, if needed, I would give my life for her in a heartbeat. That is love.