Abstract

The literature generated by family scholars on love is reviewed with an eye to its theoretical features. The chief characteristic is neglect: other features include theoretical incongruency, reductive definitions, and the use of pseudo-scientific terminology. ;It is argued that family scholars are responsible, as educators, for the generation of meaningful theories of love. Using the less reductive and more personal metaphor "world", the theoretical illumination of love is attempted. ;Love is discussed in terms of certain essential aspects that condition and allow the existence of love between persons. These aspects include reciprocity, existential pleasuring, respect, confirmation and personal integrity