Normative Reasons for Love, Part I. Issue 8 (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smuts, Aaron
• Is Part Of: Philosophy compass. Volume 9:Issue 8(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 507
• Page End: 517
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 100
• DOI: 10.1111/phc3.12168
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-9991

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Are there normative reasons for love? More specifically, is it possible to rationally justify love? Or can we at best provide explanations for why we love? In Part I of this entry, I discuss the nature of love, theories of emotion, and what it takes to justify an attitude. In Part II, I provide an overview of the various positions one might take on the rational justification of love. I focus on the debate between defenders of the no‐reasons view and the reasons view. Along the way, I discuss the significance of falling in love, the problem of trading up, and the notion of irreplaceability. I evaluate attempts to justify love based on the intrinsic and the relational properties of the beloved.</p> </abstract>