Love is a difficult concept to define. Some choose to say what it isn't as opposed to what it is. I can't ascribe to this because it doesn't define what it is.
From a scientific standpoint, it is nothing more than neurotransmitters, biochemicals, and hormonal fluctuations that intiate the first desire (lust) to meet the person, then a shift in hormones leads to the desire to settle down (love) with the person.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interperso ... ochemistry
Neurochemistry
Main article: Love (scientific views)
Recent magnetic resonance imaging studies have begun to shed light on the neurochemical basis of human bonding.[27]Main bonding chemicals[28][29]
Oxytocin [C43H66N12O12S2] – bonding molecule (hormone): high levels correlate with strong pair-bonding.
sometimes called the ‘cuddle chemical’.
levels rise during kissing and foreplay, and peak during orgasm.
Vasopressin – monogamy molecule (hormone)
responsible for creating intense loving memories during passionate situations.
responsible for clarity of thought and alertness during passionate situations.
Endorphin - calming natural pain killer
levels increase in response to touch, pleasing visual stimulus (as a smile), or after having positive thoughts.
thought to be the main attachment chemical in longterm relationships.[7]
Related bonding chemicals[28][29]
PEA [C8H11N] – amphetamine molecule (neurotransmitter)
speeds up the flow of information between nerve cells.[7]
keeps one alert, confident, and ready to try something new.[7]
Dopamine [C8H11NO2] – desire molecule (neurotransmitter): levels increase as passion levels increase.
elavated levels are associated with romantic love.[30]
Serotonin [C10H12N2O] – stability molecule (neurotransmitter)
DHEA [C19H28O2] – most abundant hormone
increases sex drive and influences who one finds attractive.
levels increase to three to five times that of baseline before and during orgasm.
Prolactin – motherly hormone (stops female and male sex-drive)
Testosterone [C19H28O2] – masculinization hormone (high testosterone-laden males tend to bond with high estrogen-laden females)
levels drop in men who are involved in long-term monogamous relationships.
functions as the main sex drive hormone for both men and women.[30]
Estrogen – feminization hormone (high estrogen-laden females tend to bond with high testosterone-laden males)
Androsterone [C19H30O2] – a pheromone attractor
Squalene [C30H50] – a pheromone repellant (stops male courtship behavior in snakes)
Progesterone [C21H30O2] – reverse sex-drive hormone
Norepinephrine [C8H11NO3] - elevated levels are associated with romantic love.[30]
This is all backed up with PET scans, MRI scans and CT scan as well as lab values.
As far as love in a reality setting, as an emotional bond, it is hard to say it even exits. While there do exist some records dating back to the egyptian period of "love" poems, it is impossible to say if there concept of it is what modern culture says it is. Current popular culture show this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love
Although there exist numerous cross-cultural unified similarities as to the nature and definition of love, as in there being a thread of commitment, tenderness, and passion common to all human existence, there are differences. For example, in India, with arranged marriages commonplace, it is believed that love is not a necessary ingredient in the initial stages of marriage – it is something that can be created during the marriage; whereas in Western culture, by comparison, love is seen as a necessary prerequisite to marriage
Prior to the Victorian era, love wasn't a factor in relationships. Then it became a trend for a few decades until it once again was put aside and relationships were once again formed on the basis of what was most economically and politically feasible. Once again, love had no play in it. If a couple grew to love one another, it was considered a rare occurence.
Even in todays society, love is a tenuous concept that comes and goes. It seems to be one of the most misused words in the english language. To me, Love is eternal. It is a bond that defies science, religion, and time. It isn't something one can feel weakly or "fall" out of. For me, it is an all encompassing entity that words alone may not due justice to it. It is the very essence of the existance of the bond that has been created. I know, sappy and pathetic. I guess this is why I can say that aside from my children, I have never experienced love and likely never will. Maybe my standards are too high, but I will accept nothing less. Nor will I ever use that word in a relationship unless it can meet that criteria. The casual use of it to me represents the current society view. ex: "I love that shirt", "I love my best friend". It is a pathetic term of endearment not meant to meet my standards. But I myself am as guilty as using it in this form as well. I can say that I have used that term with any man I was in relationship with. I guard myself well, and am guilty of hurting many men because of it. In my defense, they were warned beforehand. But for some reason the male population seems to take that warning as a challenge and think " I will be the one to meet your standards". Sadly, they have all failed. This is ok. I am comfortable knowing I will grow old alone. But I would rather do that then compromise my ideals.
As far as scripture goes, what you have listed is pretty consistent. I would add the following:
Love in early religions was a mixture of ecstatic devotion and ritualised obligation to idealised natural forces (pagan polytheism). Later religions shifted emphasis towards single abstractly-oriented objects like God, law, church and state (formalised monotheism).
A third view, pantheism, recognises a state or truth distinct from (and often antagonistic to) the idea that there is a difference between the worshipping subject and the worshipped object. Love is reality, of which we, moving through time, imperfectly interpret ourselves as an isolated part.
The Bible speaks of love as a set of attitudes and actions that are far broader than the concept of love as an emotional attachment. Love is seen as a set of behaviours that humankind is encouraged to act out. One is encouraged not just to love one's partner, or even one's friends but also to love one's enemies.
The Bible describes this type of active love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Romantic love is also present in the Bible, particularly the Song of Songs (also known as Song of Solomon, Canticles.) Traditionally, this book has been interpreted allegorically as a picture of God's love for Israel and/or the Church. When taken naturally, we see a picture of ideal human marriage.
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealously unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame. [like the very flame of the LORD?] Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned." [8:6-7, NIV]
The passage dodi li v'ani lo ("my beloved is mine and I am my beloved," Song of Songs 2:16) is often engraved on wedding
But once again, this doesn't live up to my utopian concept of love either. Love is independent of religion. Yes, I know. I will never find my concept, but that is ok. I have my children as a result of marrying my best friend to have them, then divorcing him. He lives right up the street and is a great father and best friend. But he can't even come close to my standards.
Ok, so this was seriously long. Sorry.
