Do We Need More Than One Word For Love? | It’s A Question Of Balance 26 March 2016

Broadcast on 26 March 2016 on KSCO AM 1080, KSCO 104.1 FM, KOMY AM 1340, and KSCO.com Live Stream.

It's A Question Of Balance radio show balances the intellectual with the creative, exploring whether we have more in common than divides us through thought-provoking conversations - out and about with people on the street on different topics, and in the studio with inspiring guests from the arts. Balance is not a compromise. Balance is truth distilled from many places creating cohesive understanding. 

Check out podcasts of the different topics and arts guests at www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Out And About – Conversations with People on the Street about Questions That Matter: Do We Need More Than One Word For Love?

This week we consider ‘Do We Need More Than One Word For Love?’ Human relationships are complex and come in many forms. We have feelings for others which differ depending on the unique circumstances. However, in the English language there is only one word to describe this: love. The Greeks had more than one word for love. They had a different word for each kind of love, about 30 in total to describe love in all its complexity. The main ones being agape - love of humanity; storge - family love; pragma - love which endures; philautia - the love we give ourselves, self-respect; philia - shared experience; ludus -playful affection; and eros - romantic and erotic love. In our society, by making love such an elevated grand concept that has to meet so many criteria to actually be called love, are we denying the expression or validation of the other kinds of love we feel? Would we love and connect more if we had more kinds of love on the table to choose from and feel comfortable expressing? Could we then talk about love in the context of politics or business, for example, without a cynical response? Would it help us form healthier and happier relationships in all areas of our life? What does it say about us and our culture that we have so many different words say for rain in the UK - or for different kinds of coffee - but only one word for love? Finally, Aristotle believed the basis of all love was that we first love ourselves. How important is self-love?

What do you think? For more info on the show and to hear past shows visitwww.itsaquestionofbalance.com

In Out And About we consider topics with local relevance and global significance. The idea is to get us thinking about the questions that affect us all - to stimulate new thinking, or clarify what we already feel. To hear how other people’s opinions may differ from or be similar to our own.