We often use the word love to describe the deep feelings we have for people, places or things. Love is also a common theme in literary works and movies. Love is complex and has many different meanings for different people.

Love can be a powerful feeling and is important for our well-being. It can help us feel connected to other people, feel good about ourselves and feel happy. It can also be a source of pain and sadness. We can love our family, friends and pets. We can also love the work we do or the sports team we support. The concept of love has been explored in philosophy, religion and science. Psychologists have only recently started to study it in more detail.

Some scientists believe that love is not an emotion in the way we usually think of it. They say that it’s a drive like hunger or sleep, and it is driven by hormones. Other scientists, including Paul Ekman, who is famous for his research on emotions, think that love is an emotion and is triggered by the same physical reactions as other emotions.

Scientists have also argued over whether love is a choice or something that happens automatically. They have also debated over whether it is a temporary or permanent feeling and whether it changes with age. In some cultures, love is seen as a universal experience while in others, it may vary from person to person and culture to culture.

A variety of theories about love have been developed, including the color wheel theory which identifies three primary, three secondary and nine tertiary loves, as well as the more traditional romantic and companionate styles. It is thought that these different types of love develop over time and can be influenced by the way we think about them, as well as the experiences that we have in our lives.

Despite these differences, most people agree that there are some basic characteristics of love. For example, it is believed that true love requires mutual commitment and a desire for the good of the other. It should also be selfless, and it is not acceptable to be demanding or selfish in a relationship.

There is also a strong link between love and our sense of purpose. If we love something, we will want to protect it and do everything we can to ensure its success. This is why we often see love in the actions of people who have dedicated their lives to a cause or to helping other people – think of the great men and women such as Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Maya Angelou or Oprah Winfrey. They have made a huge difference in the world because of their loving service. This type of love is also known as altruistic or unconditional love. It is not the same as narcissistic or egotistical love which can lead to self-absorption and exploitation. These types of relationships are often unstable and prone to abuse and addiction.