DIFFERENT KINDS OF LOVE

                       DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE

        Love… What is love? A four-letter word that has many meanings depends on the people we are going to asked about love.  Some says love always ease the pain, some says love is blind. Some says love add purpose to life. Other says love will always find a way. Some says love is the best inspiration for the arts. So, what is love to you?

       In the Bible God explain His love in John 3:16 “For God who so love the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God’s profound love for humanity. He offered His son, Jesus as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

       But what really love is? There are different kind of love. Which kind of love do you have? Was it the kind of love you really expected? The different kind of love are eros, philia, storge, agape, ludus, pragna, mania and philautia. 

       Eros refers to romantic, passionate or sexual love often described as a fiery intense form of love involving desire and physical attraction. The love felt between lovers or the initial spark of attraction between two people.

        Philia is an affectionate love that involves friendship. It is kind of love that strong friends feel toward each other. Traits of strong philia love between friends include things like acceptance of one another’s difference, honestly, compassion and trust. Philia kind of love is not only for person, it can be to animals like pets, collection of things, a lover of something like toys, flower etc.

        Storge means familial love or natural affection. it is the bond of affection and care between family member especially parents and children and it’s characterized by fondness and familiarity. It’s a natural, unforced and often instinctive type of love. It rooted in familiarity and dependency especially in the early stage as a child’s life. It’s warm, cozy and reliable form of love. Examples of these love are the love of parents has for their children and vice versa, the affection between siblings, the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. The love between the family member, friends and companions. 

      Agape refers to a self-less, unconditional love often considered the highest form of love, characterized by a desire of the well-being of others even at personal cost and is seen as a reflection of God’s love. Examples of these are treating others with kindness even when they are stranger. Focusing on the similarities between people rather than their differences to find common ground.

       Ludus refers to a playful and committal love that focuses on fun, flirting and potential conquest often seen as a game rather than a serious commitment. The primary goal is to have a good time and enjoy the relationship rather than building a future together, “friends with benefits” situation, or even multiple partners. Some individuals with the ludus kind of love style may view love as a game of conquest, seeking to win the affection of others. 

     Pragna refers to a practical, logical and long-term type of love focused on shared goals and compatibility rather than romantic and passion.  It’s a love built on reason and duty, prioritizing “making it work” over intense attraction. It emphasizes practicality, shared value and long-term compatibility. Rooted in reason and duty rather than romantic passion. Examples are arranged married, long-term partnership and friendship. 

       Mania or maniac love refers to an obsession, possessive and often jealous type of love characterized by intense feelings of attachment and fear of abandonment. It also means madness. Individuals with a mania love style experience a strong need for their partner and fear of being left. Example constant need for reassurance and validation from their partner. Desperate attempt to avoid or prevent abandonment. Feeling that another person will heal and complete them. 

       Philautia refers to love one-self or “regard for ones-own happiness” or advantage has been conceptualized both as a basic human necessity and a moral flow, akin to vanity and selfishness synonymous with amour-propre or egotism. Positive Philautia involves recognizing your own growth, practicing self-compassion and taking care of your mental and physical well-being which can lead to increased confidence and healthy sense of self. Negative Philautia manifest as excessive self-obsession, narcissism and a focus on personal fame and fortune, which can be detrimental to relationship and overall well-being.