Love -- Is the Word Overused? Or Misused? Sometimes Both

Friday, October 19, 2007

This is the first post on this subject, and stay tuned there will be more. It began with a sentence in an email, which sent me in search of thoughts and ideas on the word love. This is an email response to a question I posted on a member yahoo group. Dee has given me permission to share, and I thank her very much.I think the word 'love' is overused, mainly because (as Charlie says) of the limitations of the English language. For example, the Greeks have 5 different terms for the word love:

Eros - which is a passionate, sexual love

Philia - denotes friendship and loyalty

Agape - refers to a general affection, rather than attraction.
(e.g. this term was used to describe Jesus' relationship with his disciples.)

Storge - a natural affection of parents for their children

Thelema - a desire to do something, be occupied etc.
(In proper ancient Greek, some of these terms had stronger meanings, e.g. philia could be a term used between lovers.)