Renoir

                                                                      Renoir

What is Love?

   Love. We all have heard of it, in one form or another most likely felt it, (even if we claim we haven't), have most likely seen it, touched it, embraced it or delivered it, at some point in our lives. One would not question if love exists, only the possibility of it in their own lives. Yet to define the element of the most universal function in history and its nature is a timeless phenomena. A phenomena that has baffled human conscience throughout human existence. Yet love is something the world has never failed to attempt defining. It continues to beat through the veins of time, our blood, and our existence with its ageless mystery and power. Is love a function created or a separate entity that involves itself and is thrown upon us? Or is it both? Is love a chemical response with a biological answer or does it have a psychological band aid? Recent discussion on the nature of love suggests evolutionary, anthropological and neuroscience explanations for love and its processes.
      So therefore to question, what is love... seems like the most simple, basic, raw question one could be asked. Yet in opinion and possible reality, love is the most elusive, heart wrenching, mind boggling feat of analysis in all of the universe. Will the question of  love ever be answered? Can it be answered with a definite? To define love is to ask for a definite. Human belief and opinion, contrasting arguments and facts will continue to enhance the description of love throughout time, failing us of that one unique formatted answer that the world so often seeks.To define is to place a limit or boundary on something. Isn't love limitless?  To describe love is to create an unlimited abstract of human beliefs.  I believe love exists, yet I believe it has no limit or boundary and the power it has exceeds human understanding.  Strangely though, with all its mystery, elusiveness ,and question, love has the solidity of a rock and the power to reveal itself . Strangely as well, the human mind, heart, and soul seem to recognize the face of love without that same questionable doubt when it stands at the door.
       Therefore, my attempts will be to answer the question,what is love?...through the various concepts of love throughout time, for there have been many.


By Jenni H. McGee