A scientific explanation for love?
 

Why is it that the thing humans want most is the one thing science cannot give them?

quoted from the movie Contact, Palmer Joss (played by Matthew McConaughey)

Of course he referring to god here. But there is also some semblance that there is no scientific explanation for love.

Can love be proven/disproven? How do you truly prove that you love you someone with scientific merit?

Lawrence

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

As Lloyd Christmas said, love is that special feeling "when you'd do anything to bang her". That has to have some scientific merit.

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

i would assume all emotion could be described as complex chemical reactions in the brain. I dont think that we know enough about the brain to pinpoint exactly what is going on.

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

A scientific explanation for love is something I don't ever want to have.

I'm a silly romantic.

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

The same feeling can be produced by sniffing large amounts of cocaine, or even small amounts, if it's good enough.

What most people refer to as "love" is not love, but a kind of hysteria.

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

I think William Shakespeare said it best.

"To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving. Therefore to love is to suffer, not to love is to suffer. To suffer is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy then is to suffer. But suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be unhappy one must love, or love to suffer, or suffer from too much happiness. I hope you're getting this down."

Or was that the Beatles?

PairTheBoard

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

"All is suffering" --Buddha

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

[ QUOTE ]
"All is suffering" --Buddha

[/ QUOTE ]

"All is full of Love" --Bjork.

I think they were onto something, collectively.

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why is it that the thing humans want most is the one thing science cannot give them?

quoted from the movie Contact, Palmer Joss (played by Matthew McConaughey)

Of course he referring to god here. But there is also some semblance that there is no scientific explanation for love.

Can love be proven/disproven? How do you truly prove that you love you someone with scientific merit?

Lawrence

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, we do know a considerable amount about love. I am busy as crap right now but I will give some quick tidbits. Andyfox if you are reading this well, it's your own damn fault.






Just in case it's in white:
<font color="white"> The main chemicals for love are:

Phenyl-ethyamine (found in chocolate).

Dopamine and norepinephrine, chemical cousins of amphetamines, are also involved. These three give us infatuation. Vasopressin is involved in promoting monogomy. Oxytocin is what kicks in for cuddling and other physical cues such as voice. Endorphin addiction causes people to stay together. Genetic "love maps" and imprinting control your mate preferences.</font>

Re: A scientific explanation for love?
 

So it is endorphin addiction that causes all those dumb women (and some men I suppose) to stay in abusive relationships? Aside from financial reasons.