category of Love

Interpersonal love

Interpersonal love refers to love between human beings. It is a more potent sentiment than a simple liking for another. Unrequited love refers to those feelings of love which are not reciprocated. Interpersonal love is most closely associated with interpersonal relationships. Such love might exist between family members, friends, and couples. There are also a number of psychological disorders related to love, such as erotomania.

Some feelings that are often associated with interpersonal love:

• Affection: feelings of tenderness and/or wanting physical closeness
• Attachment: satisfying basic emotional needs
• Altruism: selfless or unselfish concern for another
• Reciprocation: if love is mutual
• Commitment: a desire to maintain love
• Emotional intimacy: sharing emotions and feelings
• Friendship: the spirit between friends
• Kinship: family bonds
• Passion: whole-hearted desire
• Physical intimacy: sharing of intimate personal space
• Self-interest: desiring rewards
• Service: desire to help

Sexuality can be an important element in determining the shape of a relationship. While sexual attraction often establishes a new bond, sexual intention is considered undesirable or inappropriate in certain love bonds. In many religions and systems of ethics it is considered wrong to act on sexual desire for immediate family, for children, or outside of a committed relationship. However, there are many ways to express passionate love without sex. Affection, emotional intimacy and shared interests and experiences are common in friendships and kinships of all human beings.

Impersonal love

A person can be said to love a country, principle, or goal if they value it greatly and are deeply committed to it. Similarly, compassionate outreach and volunteer workers 'love' of their cause may be borne not of interpersonal love, but impersonal love coupled with altruism and strong political convictions. People can also 'love' material objects, animals, or activities if they invest themselves in bonding their identity with that item. In these cases, if sexual passion is actually felt, it is typically considered abnormal or unhealthy, and called paraphilia.