Philosophy On Falling In Love

TL;DR

Exploring the intensity and complexities of romantic love through Kierkegaardian and Buddhist perspectives.

Transcript

Falling in love is the insanity of the soul. Anyone who’s ever fallen in love knows that it’s one of the most intense experiences that a human being can have. More often than not, logic and reason are thrown overboard because the person of our desire seems to have enchanted every cell in our body, and there’s nothing we want more than to be with th... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Romantic love is intense but can be examined through philosophical perspectives like Kierkegaard and Buddhism.
• 🥰 Kierkegaard distinguishes between passionate preferential love and selfless non-preferential love.
• 🥰 Buddhism warns against unhealthy attachment in romantic love that leads to suffering.
• 🥰 True love in romantic relationships requires loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and inclusiveness.
• 🥺 Seeking completeness in a partner may lead to relationship issues due to internal lack.
• 🥰 Finding completeness within oneself allows for unconditional love without expectations.
• 🥰 Ideal love involves embracing non-preferential love for all existence.

Questions & Answers

Q: What distinguishes preferential love from non-preferential love according to Kierkegaard?

Preferential love is fueled by passion, selfishness, and strong attachments, while non-preferential love is selfless, equanimous, and limitless in giving.

Q: How does Buddhism view romantic love and its potential pitfalls?

Buddhism sees romantic love as potentially harmful when it involves unhealthy attachment, leading to suffering for both individuals.

Q: Is it possible for a couple to experience true love in a romantic relationship?

According to Thich Nhat Hanh, true love in a romantic relationship requires loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and inclusiveness towards each other.

Q: Why is seeking completeness in a partner considered problematic?

Seeking completeness in a partner stems from a sense of lack within oneself, leading to relying on external sources for happiness and potential relationship problems.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Falling in love is an intense, uncontrollable experience that philosophers like Kierkegaard have examined.

• Kierkegaard distinguished between preferential and non-preferential love, questioning the nature of love itself.

• Buddhist philosophy also warns against attachment in romantic love, emphasizing true love's four essential components.