Changes

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

The [[English]] word "love" can have a variety of related but distinct meanings in different contexts. Often, other languages use multiple words to express some of the different concepts that English relies mainly on "love" to encapsulate; one example is the plurality of Greek words for "love." Cultural differences in conceptualizing love thus make it doubly difficult to establish any universal definition.

The [[English]] word "love" can have a variety of related but distinct [[meaning]]s in different [[context]]s. Often, other languages use multiple words to express some of the different concepts that English relies mainly on "love" to encapsulate; one example is the plurality of Greek words for "love." Cultural differences in conceptualizing love thus make it doubly difficult to establish any universal definition.

Although the [[nature]] of love is a subject of frequent debate, different aspects of the word can be clarified by determining what ''isn't'' love. As a general expression of positive sentiment (a stronger form of ''like''), love is commonly contrasted with hate (or neutral apathy); as a less sexual and more emotionally intimate form of romantic attachment, love is commonly contrasted with lust; and as an interpersonal relationship with romantic overtones, love is commonly contrasted with [[friendship]], although other definitions of the word ''love'' may be applied to close friendships in certain [[context]]s.

Although the [[nature]] of love is a subject of frequent debate, different aspects of the word can be clarified by determining what ''isn't'' love. As a general expression of positive sentiment (a stronger form of ''like''), love is commonly contrasted with hate (or neutral apathy); as a less sexual and more emotionally intimate form of romantic attachment, love is commonly contrasted with lust; and as an interpersonal relationship with romantic overtones, love is commonly contrasted with [[friends]]hip, although other definitions of the word ''love'' may be applied to close friendships in certain [[context]]s.

When discussed in the abstract, ''love'' usually refers to an [[experience]] felt by a person for another person. Love often involves caring for or identifying with a person or thing, including oneself.

When discussed in the abstract, ''love'' usually refers to an [[experience]] felt by a person for another person. Love often involves caring for or identifying with a person or thing, including oneself.

In addition to cross-cultural differences in understanding love, [[idea]]s about love have also changed greatly over time. Some historians date modern conceptions of [[Romance|romantic love]] to courtly Europe during or after the Middle Ages, although the prior existence of romantic attachments is attested by ancient love poetry.[http://www.TrueOpenLove.org/reference/AncientLovePoetry.html Ancient Love Poetry]

In addition to cross-cultural differences in understanding love, [[idea]]s about love have also changed greatly over time. Some historians date modern conceptions of [[Romance|romantic love]] to courtly Europe during or after the Middle Ages, although the prior existence of romantic attachments is attested by ancient love poetry.[http://www.TrueOpenLove.org/reference/AncientLovePoetry.html]

Because of the complex and abstract nature of love, [[discourse]] on love is commonly reduced to a thought-terminating cliché, and there are a number of common proverbs regarding love, from [[Virgil]]'s "Love conquers all" to [[The Beatles]]' "All you need is love." [[Bertrand Russell]] describes love as a condition of "absolute value," as opposed to [[relative]] [[value]]. Theologian Thomas Jay Oord said that to love is to "act intentionally, in sympathetic response to others, to promote overall well-being."

Because of the complex and abstract nature of love, [[discourse]] on love is commonly reduced to a thought-terminating cliché, and there are a number of common proverbs regarding love, from [[Virgil]]'s "Love conquers all" to [[The Beatles]]' "All you need is love." [[Bertrand Russell]] describes love as a condition of "absolute value," as opposed to [[relative]] [[value]]. Theologian Thomas Jay Oord said that to love is to "act intentionally, in sympathetic response to others, to promote overall well-being."