more on this theme     |     more from this thinker

Single Idea 9236

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love ]

Full Idea

It is not among the defining features of love that it must be hot rather than cool, ..and nor is it essential that a person like what he loves.

Gist of Idea

Love can be cool, and it may not involve liking its object

Source

Harry G. Frankfurt (The Reasons of Love [2005], 2.4)

Book Ref

Frankfurt,Harry G.: 'The Reasons of Love' [Princeton 2006], p.42

A Reaction

An interesting pair of observations. The greatness of love would probably be measured by length, or by sacrifice. Extreme heat makes us a little suspicious. It would be hard to love something that was actually disliked.

Related Idea

Idea 21425 We can love without respect, and show respect without love [Kant]

The 16 ideas from 'The Reasons of Love'

9232 It is by caring about things that we infuse the world with importance [Frankfurt]
9233 Our criteria for evaluating how to live offer an answer to the problem [Frankfurt]
9234 If you don't care about at least one thing, you can't find reasons to care about anything [Frankfurt]
9227 We might not choose a very moral life, if the character or constitution was deficient [Frankfurt]
9229 What is worthwhile for its own sake alone may be worth very little [Frankfurt]
9228 Ranking order of desires reveals nothing, because none of them may be considered important [Frankfurt]
9230 People want to fulfill their desires, but also for their desires to be sustained [Frankfurt]
9231 Freedom needs autonomy (rather than causal independence) - embracing our own desires and choices [Frankfurt]
9240 Love creates a necessity concerning what to care about [Frankfurt]
9241 Loving oneself is not a failing, but is essential to a successful life [Frankfurt]
9235 Rather than loving things because we value them, I think we value things because we love them [Frankfurt]
9236 Love can be cool, and it may not involve liking its object [Frankfurt]
9237 The paradigm case of pure love is not romantic, but that between parents and infants [Frankfurt]
9238 Morality isn't based on reason; moral indignation is quite unlike disapproval of irrationality [Frankfurt]
9239 I value my children for their sake, but I also value my love for them for its own sake [Frankfurt]
9300 Boredom is serious, not just uncomfortable; it threatens our psychic survival [Frankfurt]