# Understanding the Science of Love: Mapping Emotions in Our Bodies
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Chapter 1: The Various Facets of Love
A recent investigation published in Philosophical Psychology (September 5, 2023) has uncovered that love can be classified into 27 distinct types, each corresponding to specific sensations felt in the body. This groundbreaking Finnish research is the first to chart how different kinds of love manifest physically. While philosophers, psychologists, neuroscientists, and theologians have long explored the concept of love, this study provides a unique perspective by identifying where these feelings are experienced.
Understanding the emotional landscape of love is crucial, as humans generally recognize when they feel love or are in love, as well as when they do not. The scientific findings illustrate that love is not just an abstract feeling but has tangible representations within the body depending on its type.
Section 1.1: The Spectrum of Love Types
The research identified a broad spectrum of love types and how they correlate with physical sensations. The 27 types include:
- Passionate love (experienced in the head, chest, and upper body)
- True love (felt throughout the entire body)
- Love for life
- Romantic love
- Sexual love (primarily in the groin area)
- A mother's love for her child
- Love for nature
- Reciprocal love
- Unconditional love
- Companionate love
- A father's love for his child
- Universal love
- Parental love
- Love for neighbors
- Love for friends
- Self-love
- Love for non-human animals
- Love for siblings
- Benevolent love
- Altruistic love
- Love of beauty
- Love for one’s country
- Love for God
- Love of wisdom
- Moral love
- Practical love
- Love for strangers
Interestingly, the study reveals that love is not a singular emotion, as many might assume. The researchers state, "Our findings indicate significant variations among different types of love, suggesting it is an oversimplification to view love as one discrete emotion."
Section 1.2: Insights Gained from Mapping Love
For individuals grappling with their feelings toward someone, this study provides valuable insights into how these emotions might manifest physically. If someone is contemplating whether to remain in a relationship or part ways due to lingering feelings, understanding the various types of love can help clarify their emotional experience.
There may come a time to release a connection if the love felt does not align with what one desires emotionally. For instance, the study's findings can illustrate that while you might always harbor feelings for an ex, those emotions may occupy a different place on the love continuum than what you would feel with a new, passionate love.
Chapter 2: Reflecting on the Nature of Love
Your thoughts: Do you believe in the existence of different types of love? Can love be mapped objectively in our bodies?
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Source:
Pärttyli Rinne, Mikke Tavast, Enrico Glerean & Mikko Sams (2023) Body maps of loves, Philosophical Psychology, DOI: 10.1080/09515089.2023.2252464