Love is a complex emotion that has many different definitions. Some people call it romantic love, Platonic friendship love, or agape. While the definitions of these different types of love are complex and difficult to define, they all share a common characteristic. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the differences and similarities between these different types of love.
Compassionate love
Compassionate love is the ability to put the needs of another before your own. This type of love can be beneficial for both partners, but it can also lead to compassion burnout. For this reason, it is important for couples to find a balance between taking care of each other and caring for themselves. The Fetzer Institute supports work that promotes compassionate love.
Romantic love
According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics and the relationship website Relate, romantic love is changing. It is no longer confined to purely romantic or physical relationships, with many people embracing a mix of both.
Platonic friendship love
Platonic friendship love is a form of love that has no sexual desire or romantic features. This type of love is a lot more than simple friendship.
Agape
Love is a dramatic union of two principles. The first principle is eros, which is the desire to have a lover. The second principle, agape, involves a being outside of oneself, but is not mutually exclusive with eros. While eros is the desire to be loved, agape is the tendency to love someone outside of oneself. The Latins, who were inspired by the Hellenic traditions, distinguished between these two cases with very precise vocabulary.
Pragmatic
Pragmatic love is a type of relationship that is rooted in practicality and reason. It focuses on finding a life partner that is compatible with your needs, but does not create stress or worry. It is different from storge love, which is more passionate and emotional. Pragmatic love is more practical, and is sometimes referred to as “shopping list” love because the two people select each other based on their preferences and requirements.