The Four Types of Love That Will Conquer Our Lifes According to the Greeks
I bet you had those nights when you stayed talking with your friends until 4 am — laughing and joking.
I bet you had those instants when you lost yourself in your lover’s eyes, and you felt one with the moment.
I bet you had those moments when you hugged your parents or your mom cooked your favorite meal.
What do all moments have in common? They gave meaning to your life. Those moments make you feel the existential despair disappear for a bit.
We can all agree that love is a universal feeling. We cannot escape love. We have felt it and will continually feel it as we breathe on this earth.
The Greeks were passionate. The greeks were experts at performing the art of loving. They explored different concepts about love, and they classified love into four types.
Eros love
Go back to that night when you had a few drinks with a cute girl or boy.
You start chatting and flirting, and you head home to practice wild and passionate sex.
You idealized them in your mind, and it was hard not to undress them with your eyes when you went on dates.
Eros is passionate, erotic, and sexual.
Storge love
Storge love is the one found in the family.
It’s compassionate, kind, and patient. It’s when a parent is happy with their kids’ happiness.
Mutual affection and understanding represent storge love.
Philia love
Philia love occurs when we help each other win at life’s uncertainties.
Philia’s love is based on cooperation and solidarity.
The love you have with your best friends is a philia love.
For example, when you call them crying and wallowing about your problems.
Agape love
Agape love is unconditional and selfless. So is the love you feel for your dog, nature, or god.
Agape is based on faith, acceptance, and forgiveness.
Agape love consists of giving instead of taking, free from expectations.
Relationships give meaning to our life. Love takes us from deep sorrows. Love keeps us moving when we think we can’t. Love reminds us that life is worth living
