Ask a Troll |
A self-proclaimed troll appears to solve your existential crises, but probably only aggraves them. Ask a question! » |
Anonymous asked: Why do we love?
That depends on the perspective you have towards love.
Let me let out the cynic in me first. At its most basic levels, love is a set of very complex chemical reaction (as is life). At a very primal level, it’s just a way to ensure the presence of and good health of offspring. In fact, there’s even evidence to indicate that people are attracted to other people with dissimilar immune systems, which would give the offspring greater immunity. Check the article out; it’s a good read.
And while there’s certainly enough truth in that idea, I don’t think that’s all. After all, humans are more than the sum of their parts. Humans are made of water, protein, sugar, nucleic acid, and an uncountable number of other chemicals, but simply adding these ingredients together doesn’t guarantee self-awareness, or sentience.
The key word there is sentience. It’s because we are aware of ourselves that we can ponder questions such as the one you asked. We have active minds.
Consider the range of attitudes couples have towards kids. Some couples have large families; others don’t want children. So, in humans, love isn’t just about reproductive success.
And that’s where the mind comes in. While this is my personal conviction, I would be hard-pressed to believe that purely physical relationships are loving in nature. I think the key to love has to do with the mind.
True love, I believe, is when someone finds in another person their mental complement. Humans are social creatures, and most of us desire some degree of companionship. Time to go really abstract: in a loving relationship, one finds in another a state of mind that could enable both to advance some common interest.
But since this isn’t a philosophy journal, I’ll simplify it. People love in order to unconsciously make their minds happier.
I somehow doubt this response, despite its length, gave much closure. But at the same time, love really isn’t easily understood. I hate to say it, but your question is one that will probably plague people until the extinction of humanity.
So take your pick:
I know which of those two answers is more plausible. :)
