Is love real?
Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:45 am
Is love real or is it a social construct?
Do we love our parents or do we conform into acceptable behavior so they provide for us?
How do we know love exists?
Can we love another person or are we scared of being lonely so we act in a particular manner?
Discuss.
Do we love our parents or do we conform into acceptable behavior so they provide for us?
How do we know love exists?
Can we love another person or are we scared of being lonely so we act in a particular manner?
Discuss.
Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:48 am
Kym wrote:why cant you all be like me and just love everyone
Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:58 am
Rachel wrote:Kym wrote:why cant you all be like me and just love everyone
Lies! All lies! I never said such a thing! ¬_¬
Re: Is love real?
Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:12 am
Kym wrote:How do we know love exists?
I don't know about you, but when I see how my parents look at one another, I'm pretty sure it does.
Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:49 am
Ah heh heh heh.
From a scientist's point of view - (that's me!) Love is very real. It is defined by real hormones and chemical reactions within the brain, and is does have theorised evolutionary value.
What you feel for a partner is real. It can be argued that modern society manipulates this feeling by saying it is only valid in monogamous situations. Many more ancient societies saw polygamy as valid, but still recognised love.
As a side note, first post back on the PPT forums, after some time! Finally figured out my password, and got back into it.
From a scientist's point of view - (that's me!) Love is very real. It is defined by real hormones and chemical reactions within the brain, and is does have theorised evolutionary value.
What you feel for a partner is real. It can be argued that modern society manipulates this feeling by saying it is only valid in monogamous situations. Many more ancient societies saw polygamy as valid, but still recognised love.
As a side note, first post back on the PPT forums, after some time! Finally figured out my password, and got back into it.
Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:14 pm
kym wrote:Rachel wrote:Kym wrote:why cant you all be like me and just love everyone
Lies! All lies! I never said such a thing! ¬_¬
you said exactly that while lying on my floor stretching!!!
btjaus wrote:From a scientist's point of view - (that's me!)
What kind of scientist are you?
Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:32 pm
I'm a (still studying) biochemist, and microbiologist. I deal with the chemistry of all the life around us - hence biochemistry, as well as microorganisms.
Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:25 pm
Even if love is just a chemical reaction, it's still real.
(Not saying it is, but if it is, it doesn't change its "realness".)
(Not saying it is, but if it is, it doesn't change its "realness".)
Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:06 pm
btjaus wrote:I'm a (still studying) biochemist, and microbiologist. I deal with the chemistry of all the life around us - hence biochemistry, as well as microorganisms.
Rachel is going to love you.
Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:45 pm
btjaus wrote:Ah heh heh heh.
From a scientist's point of view - (that's me!) Love is very real. It is defined by real hormones and chemical reactions within the brain, and is does have theorised evolutionary value.
Yup. All love really is is a frequent splash of happy fun time neurotransmitters when you see the person you're in love with.
Although, if you don't care to boil it down that far (as I don't), it's still quite nice.
Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:10 pm
Welcome back, btjaus! As a fellow chem geek, I can see that I'm going to love your posts.
I don't see why people think that studying the science behind love makes it any less real or valid. The fact that there are patterns of brain activity associated with love is pretty cool. Now, we don't have to speculate on whether it's love or confusion--we can just get a brain scan and know for sure!
(Although, I don't think most health insurance policies would cover it.)
I think that both situations happen in real life. We've all met someone who panicked when they turned 30 and married someone because they were afraid of being alone, and hopefully most of us know people who are genuinely in love. Neither case applies to all situations, but love for another person is definitely possible.
shapu wrote:btjaus wrote:Ah heh heh heh.
From a scientist's point of view - (that's me!) Love is very real. It is defined by real hormones and chemical reactions within the brain, and is does have theorised evolutionary value.
Yup. All love really is is a frequent splash of happy fun time neurotransmitters when you see the person you're in love with.
Although, if you don't care to boil it down that far (as I don't), it's still quite nice.
I don't see why people think that studying the science behind love makes it any less real or valid. The fact that there are patterns of brain activity associated with love is pretty cool. Now, we don't have to speculate on whether it's love or confusion--we can just get a brain scan and know for sure!
(Although, I don't think most health insurance policies would cover it.)
Kym wrote:Can we love another person or are we scared of being lonely so we act in a particular manner?
I think that both situations happen in real life. We've all met someone who panicked when they turned 30 and married someone because they were afraid of being alone, and hopefully most of us know people who are genuinely in love. Neither case applies to all situations, but love for another person is definitely possible.