A Conceptualization of Love

Purpose of the writing

Love has been often described as an elusive concept by many researchers and "practitioners". The above statement finds credence from the oft quoted statement on love : "Love is blind". However nothing stops us from taking a plunge into the depths of this phenomenon that is supposed to be the panacea of majority of the problems of mankind. If we can make an attempt to elucidate the dimensions of human love scientifically we can provide a face to this supposedly mysterious phenomenon. This article exactly aims to do so.

The conceptualization

Before I proceed, I wish to clarify that this articulation is limited to human love only. I define human love as any love expressed between humans, or between humans and inanimate/animate objects. Having established the purpose and limitation, I argue that human love can be thought of comprising three dimensions - affection, commitment and expectation. Below I make an effort in deducing the contents, span and scope of the three dimensions.

1- Affection: Affection can be defined as an affinity for some person/object on account of attraction for his/her/its origination or attribute(s). The definition is not as complicated as it sounds. Affinity can be understood of comprising of two basic dimensions i.e. attraction and attachment. Affection thus begins with attraction to some noted attributes of a person/thing which in turn leads to attachment. Apart from that sometimes affinity may also arise based on the origin of the object/subject or due to classification of object/subject to a certain cluster that is viewed favorably or in awe by the prospective lover.

2- Commitment: Commitment can be defined as an unchangable decision to stand by the object of love through thick and thin. If viewed critically, it can be observed that commitment can be decoded to consist of two dimensions - valuation and steadfastness. By valuation I mean the prospective lover values the object/subject of his/her affection over others. And by steadfastness I mean that the valuation does not decrease in absence of the attibutes that initally attracted the prosepective lover. If there is a fall in the stature of the object of love the prospective lover helps in stabilizing and then aids in ascent of the object to its previous level of glory. Thus commitment is one step ahead of affection in that it supports the maintenance of the loved attributes of the object of love.

3- Expectation: Though it is often advocated that love is selfless and the reward of love lies in loving, however I argue that expectation does charactrize love. In my opinion, human love is sustained by reciprocation. We need to see that we are wanted and the time and energy we bestow on the object of our love is valued. However what is the guideline for effective reciprocation? Its the expectation of the partner. Expectation serves as a lighthouse to guide us in our degree and type of reciprocation. It helps throw light on the needs and desires of the loved one and makes us reciprocate in defined appropriateness. Thus we define expectation as expected, desired and guided reciprocation.

Having established the dimensions of love, we can now make an attempt to define the same. Love can thus be characterized as an emotion that begins with attraction to some attributes, goes beyond it by displaying commitment and is sustained by fulfilled expectations. Hoping this shall give a guidance to structure our emotions and make love a productive and fulfilling endeavour.