8 Loves in One Life
An Exploration of the Loves and Desires that mold and shape our lives. How Love dictates our behavior, our achievements, our failures, our joys and our sorrows in all of life.
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Love is a many "splendored" thing, says one song. True, indeed, and a most necessary thing; without it what would life be? However, Love isn't only what it is popularly thought to be; it is many-dimensional and some of its aspects have sometimes been called gods. The ancient Greeks applied it to practically everything in life. Popular thinking is poorer today, in limiting Love especially to its erotic dimension and expressing this in "strange" reflections such as "marrying oneself", supposed "benefits of having multiple partners", and "pixel love companions". Distinctive aspects of Love, whether erotic, patriotic, family or other affect our lives in different ways. These have bearing on the big questions that occupy our societal minds today: war, immigration, racism, abortion, equality, family life, suicide, etc. Love's dimensions address all of these and more. We live in a world of extremes: extreme sensationalism, extreme erotism, extreme consumerism, even extreme professionalism. Our study reveals that these spring from a certain dimension of Love. What may we do about it? Can it be eliminated, curbed, or ignored? There are answers. Greek philosophy, already in the Classical period, pointed the way to an avoidance of extremes. This study shows the way. Our societal model, Capitalism, is certainly the best that humans have devised so far for corporate living. But it has its weaknesses or its drawbacks; it feeds a particular aspect of Love that needs to be kept under control, otherwise, that aspect will destroy the very society that Capitalism seeks to build and maintain. Knowledge of this and the application and practice of Love will lead to a better functioning society, where the greatest number may enjoy the good things of life. Love has been studied and written on for ages. it is the most popular subject of song and poetry. Our study examines and critiques what some learned writers have offered on a particular aspect, that of Friendship. Their informed insights will be found helpful as we today seek to fashion our own lives, having friends in our contemporary setting. Is there one particular aspect, one particular line of conduct that, adhered to, would ensure better and successful living; all things considered? There is! This study reveals that undergirding the laws, the injunctions, the prescriptions and most government regulations that aim for a better society, there is that principle, lodged in what is called Agape Love, that would lead the individual to successful living. But, be careful; it is not a joyous love per se; in fact more often than not, with Agape, "to love is to suffer" as our study shows. There is a popular but erroneous idea in some circles claiming that certain attributes of Love are particularly Christian. Our study reveals that all aspects and dimensions of love are found among humans everywhere. Moreover, the great religious systems advance practically the same verities concerning positive human conduct, albeit with varying degrees of emphasis. The study shows that the application and practice of love, and even its denial,and rejection, proceed from personal moralo choices. Therefore, Love, taken holistically,must not be seen as an all-sweeping emotion against which the individual is powerless. True, there are cases of abnormal brain functioning causing abnormal behavior; society is well aware of these and takes them into consideration. But in the main, our Loves and our desires are applied through our choosing. This study highlights the need for constant personal moral responsibility in our dealings with each other. That principle, discovered long ago and advanced in Greek philosophy is pertinent for living today. We love God and God loves us in our Christian setting. Other religions adhere also to the tenet with regard to their divinities. But, how are we to love an unseen Spirit being? and how does that Being show love to us? T5he study presents concrete ways. At the end of our study one thing is evident: regardless of the name by which Love is designated, what matters is how the individual treats others. One may claim to love God, or Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, or Zeus, oir Allah. God or the gods remain unseen; therefore, our claims are personal positions. They are to be measured in the concrete experiences of life as we relate to other people/ In the course of human thought, Love has been elevated to great spiritual heights under different designations. Plato favored Eros and made it a god, the source of all humman achievements and all that we find wonderful. Aristotle his pupil, lifted Philia, made it the source of virtue, of goodness, and high spirituality, even unto, if that were possible, the divination of one's friend. Then came Paul the Apostle, and it was Agape's turn to be declared the bringer of justice, of mercy, of kindness and goodness, a veritable gift of God. In all this one thing is evident: the way to live is to treat the neighbor, the other person, as one would like to be treated, and as the other person would want to be treated, all things considered in the societal context. It is this that makes the way of Love "the more excellent way" to live.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
This study explores the different dimensions of the Love, approached from their usage in the Classical Greek period and their evolution and uses today. Especially it shows how the different dimensions of love are played out in the current erotism, consumerism, politics, religion, and other aspects of life. It reveals how Love, whether applied or refused and rejected, directs our actions in all areas for weal or for woe. The big questions that agitate our current society: immigration, abortion, racism, suicide, etc., all have an answer in one or another of the dimensions of Love. The book shows that Love is not a question of the emotions, as popularly imagined: "love thy neighbor" is not an invitation to an emotional relationship. The book highlights the principle of Love. It shows how thinkers have seen that principle at work in various aspects of Love, calling it by several names. Through the use of certain Greek myths, anecdotal experiences, stories, poetic lines, as also through the experiences of recent historical personages, the study shows how the way of Love is always the better way bringing positive results. Love's outworking is not accidental; it doesn't drop down from the skies. The study shows that Love does it's work as a principle applied from a moral choice; consequently, Love requires that individuals act as responsible moral agents. The study reveals that while some dimensions of Love are joyous, all are not necessarily so; even erotic love has its downsides and may even be tragic; to love may well be to suffer. Yet, the way of Love is "the more excellent way" for successful living, both for personal and for societal living, as the study shows.
About the Author
Dr. Pamphile studied at Caribbean Union College, Trinidad; Andrews University, Michigan, U.S.A.; and at the Institut de Théologie Protestante, Montpellier, France. He is a retired College Professor, Church Administrator, Pastor, and Language Teacher. A keen History researcher, he brings his wide knowledge to bear on a subject of perennial interest. He interacts with people at several levels: academic, religious, associative, etc., and sees the outworking of the principles presented in this text. As professor of New Testament Greek, he has explored the dimensions of Love presented here. In this study, he draws on his wide experience, producing useful information and powerful insights calculated to enhance the life of the reader.