What is love? Baby, don’t use English. In this episode, Jordan explores how language interacts with thought. By studying linguistics, he discovers that there are limits imposed on our minds by the language and culture we inherit at birth.
However, if we study other languages, we can expand not only our vernacular, but our interaction with reality itself. Jordan seeks discover and learn new words for LOVE by enlisting the help of his friend Jimmy Lopez.
The source material for this episode was the article “The Ancient Greeks’ 6 Words for Love (And Why Knowing Them Can Change Your Life)” by Roman Krznaric.
The Greek words discussed are listed here for quick reference:
EROS - a dangerous, fiery, and irrational form of love that represents the idea of sexual passion and desire.
PHILIA - deep friendship, or deep camaraderie that develops between brothers in arms who fight side by side on the battlefield.
LUDUS - playful love, exhibited by affection between children, dancing strangers, laughing with friends, or other kinds of adult frivolity.
AGAPE - selfless love extending to all people, whether family members or distant strangers.
PRAGMA - longstanding, mature love exhibited by a relationship that works over time and shows patience and tolerance.
PHILAUTIA - self-love. The idea that if you like yourself and feel secure in yourself you will have a wider capacity to love others.
This episode’s wisdom nuggets come from:
Robert Sapolsky
Sri Anandamayi Ma
The Bible
Aggregated internet audio:
https://youtu.be/sVMq195ubfk
https://youtu.be/JzHhn2WtwYU
https://youtu.be/cUoxXpqof8A
https://youtu.be/hwWsAUpr9eM
https://youtu.be/Q9JSVGS4dHU
https://youtu.be/RhFJhQtIyb0
https://youtu.be/WmuJ0us63GQ
https://youtu.be/pDVemi5oS40
https://youtu.be/Q6WzkvBkcUE
https://youtu.be/PR7F8iaxc3Y
https://youtu.be/gId6nrMDmUU
https://youtu.be/YLAFw1D-Szw
https://youtu.be/f4iAV1ZzWy4
https://youtu.be/jR3QlN708lc
https://youtu.be/5A0-u85aAYg
https://youtu.be/0hP83Bd18RE
Special thanks to Sarah Pickerill from The Watchers on the Couch for reading the definitions of the Greek words for love.
