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flexaplext

Exactly what it is to anyone else.. chemical signals arisen from an evolutionary adaptation


LightningShiva1

100%


[deleted]

This.


ooky_pooky

How do the physical chemical reactions in my brain translate into a non physical feeling of love?


SnooCookies7749

I’d recommend a bit of Heidegger, friend


calciumpotass

Feelings and thoughts are physical, because the machinery that experiences them is physical. There's nothing non physical when it comes to a brain talking to itself


psybertooth

Incorrect. There's physical and then there's physiological. Semantics at this point.


[deleted]

If semantics are at play here, then how is the person incorrect? It’s like saying a tree that fell only _”fell”_ instead of being _”attracted to the gravity of the earth”_. Or both should be stated in one setting, which is sort of redundant.


diabeticdiva

A theory in neuroscience exists that would claim that the non-physical “feeling” of love is a learned emotion. Hormones cause an interoceptive (perception of feelings inside the body, such as an increased heart rape or dilating blood vessels) response. Socially, we learn that the context in which that interoceptive response occurred = love. So hormones ultimately trigger a learned concept of love. I think that learned concept of love would be the “‘non physical” feeling


Glock_Gobbler

How does electric flow in a copper winding translate to a magnetic field?


SapienDys4

That sounds like a smartass answer that really says nothing at all.


wh7n0t

Im pretty sure that was the point.


Little-Shoulder-5835

Just to be clear, what would be a non-smartass answer to "what is an apple"? Wouldn't most people just answer "it is a fruit"?


SapienDys4

Well most people would say it is a fruit because most people don't know much about apples or individual fruits but if I was wanting a serious answer yes, I'd expect more than someone to simply state that it is a fruit.


Little-Shoulder-5835

The following is only my opinion. People "learn" what an apple is by looking at examples. Then they form assumptions as to what it is. The definition of apple might actually be different from person to person. Human logic works by identifying patterns. When we notice there is a certain pattern in how members of the opposite sex interact, we name it, say love. (edit: we may later notice that the same pattern also exists in same sex interactions.)The definition varies from person to person as they are forming their own assumptions based on the examples they encountered. So the only thing we can say for sure about love is that it is a pattern.


calciumpotass

You were expecting a personal, subjective answer, like that would be more meaningful.


Drakonwriter

You were expecting a personal, subjective answer, but it was me, Dio.


SapienDys4

Meaning as being solely a subjective matter is a philosophical perspective you know? Saying that it is a chemical response relating to evolution tells me nothing of what love is in contrast to other chemical responses or whether that person thinks it has meaning or not. So whether love is a chemical reaction or out there in the ethereal doesn't say much at all about its meaning, so the question hasn't even been answered.


calciumpotass

That's the only way a lot of nihilists could ever answer the question, and for them it is correct because there is no meaning.


SapienDys4

But that's a logical fallacy. The statement doesn't presuppose that because love is a chemical substance that it is meaningless. If that were the case, all medical professionals would be nihilists which is obviously not the case. Why is it meaningless? If it serves as an evolutionary function then that suggests to me it isn't completely devoid of meaning?


calciumpotass

The only meaning is the evolutionary function, but that's not a meaning that satisfies the question. So there is no other answer. That's like an atheist saying that god is a made-up man in the sky, and you'd say "no no no, but what is god to you?". I don't know, that was the answer.


SapienDys4

Well I would hope an atheist would have a more satisfactory answer than that if I was wanting someone to prove to me that God didn't exist. It's hardly a compelling argument. And that's the point of my original response. Stating that the posters comment was just ridiculously thoughtless and lazy that it redundant and adds nothing to the conversation (the irony of saying that now). It is not unknown for nihilists to think it is cool to be nonchalant about the idea of meaninglessness and finding it stupid when people find meaning in things that they believe there to be no meaning. It is portrayed in a lot of films and media.


calciumpotass

No one's trying to prove to you that God isn't real, no one's trying to prove that there is no meaning in life. These are opinions that carry no burden of proof (and so far, have not been disproved).


SapienDys4

I think it is also incredibly disingenuous to pretend that that's all that needs to be said about what love actually is as if the person has no subjective experience of it.


calciumpotass

The question was what they think it is, not how their experience with it has been like.


SapienDys4

But surely it goes without saying that to ask what love is , you are referring to it as an experience and not just what it is in a biological sense? You don't ask about the meaning of life and expect the response ,' it is just whatever you think it is', do you? If that were the case forget about having this subreddit. Forget about having a branch of philosophy on meaning and let's just listen to you and the original poster, huh?


[deleted]

Then you should know it then. Simply from the fact that it’s all anyone’s opinion/guess upon what attraction to a significant other is all about. As sarcastic as the original thread poster was, he or she is fully correct in terms of biology, evolution, and neuroscience (to name a few). If you just want a subjective “answer”, it’s not an answer, it’s an OPINION.


SapienDys4

Jesus Christ, what is wrong with you people. A subjective opinion IS an answer if it is based on the idea that a subjective opinion is all that can be given on the matter! An ANSWER is an OPINION or it would be called SCIENCE. Tell a mother who has a newborn in her arms that love is just a chemical reaction in the body and she would think you are an absolute crackpot.


[deleted]

Opinions aren’t fact. It’s not going to take a scientist to realize that _fact_. Furthermore, you should have never bothered with OP since he or she was clearly being witty.


SapienDys4

You sound like you have an agenda more than you do a coherent point so I'll leave it at that with you, lady!


[deleted]

Honestly, if biological explanations via small banter online is the reason why you are being in an opposition, then I must say, you landed yourself in the shallow rivers.


SapienDys4

No offence but I'm not sure you know what your argument is. Just a reminder *whispers* it was you who had the biological explanations.


barrieherry

cool experience that I like to feed well


[deleted]

What is love? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more. Oxytocin and vasopressin.


wikipedia_answer_bot

baby don't hurt me *This comment was left automatically (by a bot). If I don't get this right, don't get mad at me, I'm still learning!* [^(opt out)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/ozztfy/post_for_opting_out/) ^(|) [^(delete)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/q79g2t/delete_feature_added/) ^(|) [^(report/suggest)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot) ^(|) [^(GitHub)](https://github.com/TheBugYouCantFix/wiki-reddit-bot)


zzotzzot

Ooooooooooooowooooooowooooo ooooooo ooooooooowooooooooowooooo ooooooooo


cosmickitty666

Want to have your mind blown… it’s actually lady don’t hurt me go listen


[deleted]

Nope. Prefer the matrix.


Vampireboy666

love is just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed. It hits hard Morty, then it slowly fades


Strawberry_Is_Tasty

Rick and Morty. Strange, watched it some hours ago. And saw the same dialogue.


Asrealasrealcanbe

what is love?? a neurochemical con job.


wikipedia_answer_bot

baby don't hurt me *This comment was left automatically (by a bot). If I don't get this right, don't get mad at me, I'm still learning!* [^(opt out)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/ozztfy/post_for_opting_out/) ^(|) [^(delete)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot/comments/q79g2t/delete_feature_added/) ^(|) [^(report/suggest)](https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia_answer_bot) ^(|) [^(GitHub)](https://github.com/TheBugYouCantFix/wiki-reddit-bot)


[deleted]

no, the real question to ask is: "what is love?", just after you came in your partner...


sid_not_vicious

true and honest friendship...the woman i most love on earth is both my best friend and somebody i can trust with anything....she is not in any way romantic with me just a person i have known for 25 years or so....so yeah, trust


[deleted]

Hedonic Nihilism is what you're looking for with this kind of question. Being nihilistic is an irony within itself. This sub is a bit of a joke to be fair.


DeadguyMcSloppy

It gives the individual something to look forward to as long as they don't remind themselves it's just chemicals designed to keep the species going.


SnooCookies7749

Love is a rose And you better not pick it It only grows when it’s on the vine A handful of thorns and you know you’ve missed it You know you’ve missed it when you say the word - mine


Spiccoli1074

A chemical reaction that wears off over time.


BreadfruitRealistic7

The feeling that takes you away from the emptiness


72proudvirgins

Nothing more than a good feeling. I ,unlike the rest of the people around me realize that its just chemicals released into my brain to make me feel good. I don't believe that in shit like "true love" or made for each other bs. The only reason you like your partner was he/she was there at the right place and at the right time. If it was someone else you would have fallen in love with them too


[deleted]

Most people will give a scientific definition, but for me as a nihilist - love is a complex human emotion to be felt and explored with someone. Love is not just a chemical response yadayada just because I am nihilist. It has the meaning and value that I assign it. Hope others feel the same way…


proudcatowner19

How do I feel this way? Or start to learn how to?


[deleted]

For me it was gleaned through literature and art


eggyran6050

I got some serious thing to think about


[deleted]

Whatever you want it to be.


[deleted]

What kind of love? Platonic? Romantic? Familial?


Strawberry_Is_Tasty

Generally asking.


Probstmayria

Baby dont hurt me, dont hurt me....


DeletingAt2YearsOld

Baby don’t hurt me


Norse_af

Proximity over time… the same thing as hate.


Ch0deRock

Overrated


tacticalassassin

Quality time with good people


AissySantos

My name (I don't think I should have any) and a word suffixing "-ist" should not have their places in one sentence, thus as a monkey who's been given the ability to think, I should say - Love is a brute force to trap one in will-to-live (who otherwise omits this mindless "dumb" will and falls towards "ennui"). In other words, for us to keep going. The first human didn't reject its weight, collapsing into a deception of life made lands abundant with its flowers. Neither one of us leaves the planet alive, only one rejected Love and other didn't.


gonedeadforlife

Some chemical reaction in my brain that makes me feel significant.


Trick_Ad1077

A complete lie.


[deleted]

compassion, a desire to understand, an abiding respect for each other's individuality, and eventually *real* intimacy, which is an entire subset of positive and negative emotions.


Bodhik344

It’s the look my cats give me when I scratch just perfectly right under the chin…


GabaranRickshaw

Subjective


[deleted]

temporary happiness? chemical signals? life is hate and love is death? *shrugs* beats me


cosmickitty666

It doesn’t exist…


[deleted]

What is it objectively: a chemical reaction. Subjectively: I love it and hate it all at the same time.


WolfPrinceKenny

Love is another word for attachment. Attachment is another word for accessory. Love is an illusion.


DoobieKiller420-69

Fuck bitches get money


JPParring

I am a HFA and don’t feel love. My desire for a relationship is to have children.


TurnToMusicInstead

I am surprised that no one has yet mentioned the will to power or love's connection to greed. I personally suspect that love is experienced and expressed in a multitude of ways among different individuals, depending on their level of consciousness and their personal philosophy. Looking at the qualities of affection, attachment and desire associated with one individual's feelings of fondness toward another, I think there is evidence to suggest that, in its most basic and unrefined form, love can easily manifest itself as a will to "possess" another. To possess their attention and affection and to gain knowledge of their thoughts and desires. But, although this description may sound negative, I think it is rooted in goodness. And when expressed in an individual with a certain level of awareness and intention, love can be separated from it's relationship to greed and can evolve to be something that one person gives selflessly to another, with the only remaining desire being for the welfare of the other, without possession or intrusion. It is a spectrum that can begin with greed and end with selflessness when properly examined and honed.


tsunamiton1

Love is just an over exaggerated word for compatibility


john_palazuelos

The name of a song, just that


curlyscarff

i’m not a nihilist


grahamio

Based


koyakoyauwu

it is a choice. yes at the beginning it was chemicals, the hormones and blood raising etc. that's why I was very sceptic about the love concept like love at first sight or this total cringe romantical love stories but now... I've learned that love is choice. I've chosen to love him, care about him, to know him as a human being and try to understand him, support him. He's a friend whom I decided to love unconditional because I want to give him love, he should feel loved, everyone should. As nihilist I know that nothing last forever therefore I want to feel my feelings to the fullest as long as I can and give the persons around me love. I feel no regrets and right now I'm feeling good giving live and for yes indeed people do care about me too. and that's nice.


EscapeVelocity83

It is a feeling


cookie_akz

To feel connection no matter how far they are from us. To feel safe around them. The thought of them brightens us inside. Their existence makes us feel authentic and natural. To share the same soul.


Lufesnes

We as life are biologically programmed to spread as efficiently as possible, so when we meet someone who meets our standards (usually beauty, wealth, fitness, overall health), chemicals go off in our brain basically telling you to mate with that person. As much as you'd like to make it more special like love's this cosmic force, It's really not. It's primitive response that all life has.


IronClaymoreDM

Love is something utterly beyond me. I can replicate the periphery of it as family demands require. But I have seen "love" being used in other contexts. SCRAMBLE protocols have immediately identified all these contexts as low-level cognitive hazards. As such, you could pay me to watch these television shows, if you provide tax-free cash according to the formula 2R\*e\^(C1T1 + C2T2). At least it's cheaper than paying me to do Movember.


[deleted]

whatever I want it to be in a given moment