Love is a common feeling and a well-known word. It can mean many different things, but we still call it love. Just love. Although the ancient Greeks actually made different types of love to distinct the varying feelings.
The first type of love–and the most common–is Eros love. This is the romantic, passionate feeling that you probably imagine when you think of the word love. Named after the Greek god of fertility, Eros is the love that can be considered rash and dangerous.
In addition, the second kind of love is the love of Philia. This is affectionate love, friendship, brotherly love. This is the kind of genuine love you would feel towards someone significant in your life. Philia love is a deep compassionate love between equals or community members.
The third–and likely first love you experience–is the Storge love. This describes the natural love between family, such as parents, children, and siblings. Storge love is not chosen, yet it can be one of the most powerful bonds to exist.
After those, the next, and arguably most important, is Agape love. This is the selfless love. This love is responsible for all things charitable and good. This is the love of religion, of kindness, of strangers, and wanting to do good for your neighbor. It is unconditional and crucial for the nature of humanity.
Playfulness and teasing can be characterized as love as well. This is called the Ludus love. This is the Greek word used to describe playful teasing, flirting, and lighthearted fun–usually void of serious commitment. This is the type of love you express in the talking stage or when having a small crush.
However, crushes can turn into Mania, which is the obsessive love. Mania is often an imbalance of Eros and Ludus' love. This is when love turns obsessive, causing jealousy or possessiveness. This is a dangerous type of love and usually fueled by delusion rather than genuine love.
Pragma is a mature type of love that focuses on duty and commitment. A good example would be a king looking to care for his people. It isn’t a bond, but he feels a sense of duty in providing for them and keeping his people safe.
The last–and fundamental–type of love is Philautia love, the self love. This is the love that can be negative or positive–depending on how much is present. Philautia love is loving yourself, and loving yourself too much can lead to narcissism and can be negativity interpreted by others. On the other end, you can not love yourself at all, which will in turn make it harder to love others. You need Philautia love to have the others.
All these loves are important and necessary. They are everything we know and everything we will know. Knowing the differences between them is very helpful in figuring out emotions and where you stand when it comes to your feelings. Love is both a simple and complex thing, but it makes it easier if you know what love you are dissecting.
Written by: Brooklin Garrison