A feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment to a person or animal. Love can also refer to a particular type of relationship or an emotion experienced in intimate relationships, such as parental love. The concept of love has been explored throughout history by philosophers, religions and the sciences of psychology and anthropology.
Some biological theories of love, pioneered by evolutionary researchers like Helen Fisher, break down the experience into three biological processes: lust, attraction, and attachment. Lust generally operates through the distribution of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, attraction through the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin, and attachment through the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin.
In a modern context, “love” has many different meanings, including: the desire to be close to someone, the feeling of excitement or thrill at being with that person, and/or a commitment to that person. It is a stronger sentiment than mere liking, and it can involve sacrifice, such as the love shown in the story of Nicholas and Alexandra or a mother’s love for her child.
The word love is also often used in reference to a particular type of spiritual devotion. For example, in Hinduism, love for God may be called kama, bhakti, or prema. It may involve a sense of awe, adoration and reverence, as well as a desire to help reduce the suffering of others. It is also a virtue, and may be regarded as the highest goal of human life.