The Greek words for love

The Six Greek Words for love

https://www.yesmagazine.org/health-happiness/2013/12/28/the-ancient-greeks-6-words-for-love-and-why-knowing-them-can-change-your-life/

I was almost ready to write on ‘LOVE’.  I knew of three Greek words for love and, of course, that there is only one word for ‘LOVE’ in English.  I love pizza and I love my grandchildren get the same verb!!! (And, hopefully loving pizza and loving my grandchildren are two different things!!)

So, I searched for the three words that mean love in Greek and found this article - with SIX words for love in Greek.

Let’s look at them

1. Eros, or sexual passion

I knew of this word.  Eros - passionate love.  Sometimes - every dangerously passionate!!  

The article says “Eros involved a loss of control that frightened the Greeks. Which is odd, because losing control is precisely what many people now seek in a relationship. Don’t we all hope to fall “madly” in love?

So, on to word #2

2. Philia, or deep friendship

And, this word I knew as well.  The normal usage is - “Philadelphia - the City of Brotherly Love”.  

From the article: “Philia concerned the deep comradely friendship that developed between brothers in arms who had fought side by side on the battlefield. It was about showing loyalty to your friends, sacrificing for them, as well as sharing your emotions with them.”  (AP, MN, KW. I Philia (love) you!!) 

Do you have really deep friendships?  The friendship where when you are down and out, you can call 512-623-1234 (not the real number) and AP will answer it.  I’ve heard this term as a friendship that can be closer than a brother (or sister).  

3. Ludus, or playful love

Now, this word was new to me.  The article uses these illustrations: “The playful affection between children or casual lovers. We’ve all had a taste of it in the flirting and teasing in the early stages of a relationship. But we also live out our ludus when we sit around in a bar bantering and laughing with friends, or when we go out dancing.”

I “flirt” more now - in a playing way.  In our bridge group, we love and play, as a playful affection.  My early teasing with AP was a form of Ludus that has blossomed into Philia!!

4. Agape, or love for everyone

This was the third word I wanted.  That is -Eros - sexual love; Philia - brotherly-love; and Agape - loving everyone.  

When I return to my philosophy, I’m going to focus on Agape love - love everyone (even if unlovable - see yesterday’s post for that, or even if they are toxic).  Yup, that is going to be tough. How can I love ‘everyone’? Can I love the terrorist with the suicide bomb? Can I love the person who is cheating me? Can I love the person who just killed one of my grandchildren?

I think I have to!!!  (Oh my!! Karen - you are really a Pollyanna!!!)

5. Pragma, or longstanding love

The article says: “Pragma is about making compromises to help the relationship work over time, and showing patience and tolerance.”  My parents were married for sixty-nine years and seemed to always be in love. (The reality is my mother modeled this love, and my father fell into line).  (The article suggests that the Greeks really didn’t widely use this term.)

And

6. Philautia, or love of the self

The article suggests there were two versions of this - narcissism - focusing so deeply on loving yourself; and loving yourself to be secure in yourself.  The Biblical admonition of “love your neighbor as yourself” fits the second version - being so secure in your own body that you can love others in a similar way.

So, here we are - a diversion into the Six Greek Words for love.  Tomorrow, back to Philosophy with Love and Hate (if you have been reading these blogs for a while, it will not be new).

What do you think of the words for love in the Greek language?  Do we need additional words for love so, “I love pizza” and “I love my grandchildren” and not in the same category?  

Hugs!!!  (and - agape love)

Karen