7 Greek Words For Love and Their Philosophical Roots

The Greeks were known for their philosophy and wisdom. They spoke about “logos” as opposed to “mythos.” Logos was considered the ultimate form of knowledge and it represented reasoned arguments and logical discourse. Mythos on the other hand represented imaginative tales and narratives, often with symbolic or religious significance. This period in history marked a time when people began to question traditional mythology and religious superstitions, shifting towards a science-based, empirical outlook on life.

They organized gatherings or schools to discuss great philosophical ideas. For instance, The Academy was founded by Plato in Athens, became a center for learning and philosophical debates for centuries where they discussed and debated on various topics including metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics.

Similarly, The Lyceum was founded by Aristotle in Athens focused on a broad range of subjects, including logic, physics, and metaphysics, with a strong emphasis on empirical observation and logical reasoning (logos). 

Then there was another social gathering known as The Symposia, where philosophical discussions often took place alongside feasting and drinking.

The Greeks discussed all sorts of topics and not just logos and mythos. In this blog post, we will look at the seven Greek words for love, what they mean, and their philosophical roots:

• The 7 Greek words for love
• Greek words for love in the Bible
• Koine Greek words for love
• Words that are not Greek terms for love
• Who coined the Greek names for love?
• Role of eros in Greek mythology
• Connection between logos and love
• Famous philosophers who shaped the understanding of love in Greek
• Contributions of Greek philosophers to love and ethics
• How did Greek philosophy influence western ideas about love?
• Schools of thought and love in Greek philosophy
• What are the key concepts of love and friendship in Greek philosophy?

What is the Greek word for love?

The Greek language has several distinct words to describe different forms of love. Agape (ἀγάπη) is the most commonly recognized type of love in Greek, but there are others, each reflecting a specific aspect of love, from familial affection to passionate desire. Understanding these different terms will help you understand how the Greeks perceived the complexities of human relationships.

How many Greek words for love are there?

There are seven different words for love in the Greek language, each with its own specific meaning.

The 7 most recognised words for love include:

(1) Eros (ἔρως): Romantic or passionate love:

This is the love we are most familiar with. It’s the love between two lovers — sexual, passionate and driven by hormones.

It’s the love we associate with Romeo-Juliet and Heer-Ranjha, two of the most famous love stories in the world.

(2) Philia (φιλία): Friendship or brotherly love:

It’s the bond between friends, like that of David and Jonathan. These friends may not have spoken to you in many years, but when it truly matters, they are there.

(3) Ludus (λῆδον): Playful, flirtatious love:

This is a non-committal and flirtatious love. You want sex but without any emotional commitment or the responsibilities that come with a committed relationship. This type of love is called erotropia or ludus.

I used to struggle setting boundaries with others in relationships. Here’s what I learnt:

(4) Agape (ἀγάπη): Unconditional, selfless love, often associated with divine love:

The Greeks define this as the ultimate form of love. Agape is unconditional love, the type of love that says, “No matter what happens, I will always love you.”

It is a love that is willing to sacrifice, forgive, show compassion, kindness, and prioritize the needs of others over their own. It’s also the love that helps others without expecting anything in return.

It’s the kind of love shown to people who don’t deserve it.

(5) Pragma (πράγμα): Mature, long-standing love, often found in long-term relationships:

Pragma is based on mutual respect and honor for each other. It involves being willing to accept and appreciate each other’s differences and ready to compromise when needed.

(6) Philautia (φιλαυτία): Self-love, which can be healthy or narcissistic depending on context.

It is the love that you have for yourself. This type of love is often reflected in your commitment to personal growth and development i.e., making a conscious effort to take care of your health, investing your time and energy in pursuing your passion, and honing your skills and talents to become the best version of yourself.

(7) Storge (στοργή): Familial love, the natural affection between parent and child.

Last but not least, storge is the bond between family members. It’s the type of love which is characterized by feelings of familiarity and dependency.

Life lesson no. 1: Love is more than a feeling.

Greek words for love in the Bible

Agape and Philia are the two prominent Greek words for love used in the Bible. Here are some biblical references:

1. Agape (ἀγάπη):  This is the highest form of love, representing divine, unconditional, and sacrificial love. It’s the love God has for humanity and the love Christians are called to have for one another.   

• John 3:16: “For God so loved (ἠγάπησεν – agapēsen) the world…”   
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Describes the qualities of agape: patience, kindness, selflessness, etc.   
• 1 John 4:8: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (ἀγάπη – agapē).”

2. Philia (φιλία): This refers to brotherly love, friendship, affection, and loyalty between people.   

• John 11:3: “So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love (φίλει – philei) is sick.'”   
• John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (φίλων – philōn).”   
• James 2:23: “…and he was called God’s friend (φίλου – philou).”

How many Koine Greek words for love are there?

Koine Greek was a form of Greek language or dialect spoken and written from around 4th century BC to 6th century AD. Here’s why it’s important:

• It was the most common Greek dialect spoken and written when the New Testament was being written. Koine Greek is the language of the New Testament.
•  It was simpler than earlier forms of Greek language like the classical Greek making it easier to learn and understand for the wider population.

The Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament, primarily used Agape and Philia to describe different shades of love. 

Why were other words for love not used in the New testament? 

Even though Koine Greek did have other words for love, they were not used in the New Testament. For instance, the term “eros” was likely excluded because early Christian writings emphasized more on spiritual love and community rather than on romantic relationships.

Which word is not a Greek word for Love?

“Mania” is often mistaken as a form of love in Greek, but it actually carries a very different meaning. It simply means obsession or madness. While it is somewhat related to love, it is not classified in the same way as other Greek terms for love.

Who coined the Greek names for love?

The Greek terms for love likely evolved over many centuries but it was thinkers like Plato and Aristotle who explored the nature of love, ethics and human relationships and brought these terms to larger philosophical discourse. 

What is the role of eros in Greek mythology?

In Greek mythology, Eros was depicted as the god of love, often portrayed as a mischievous god causing gods and mortals to fall in love.

His Roman counterpart, the Cupid continues to symbolize love and desire in modern culture.

Greek philosophy and love: Ethics, virtue, and human connection: What is the meaning of “Logos” in Greek philosophy?

Logos in Greek language refers to logic, reason, order and rationality. In the context of love, logos play an important role in balancing out the emotional aspect of love (eros) with rational understanding. For the Greeks, love wasn’t just about emotion but also about virtue and ethical behavior.

The three philosophers who shaped the understanding of love in Greek thoughts are

• Socrates: He discussed love in terms of its relationship to virtues like mentorship and intellectual growth, love as a motivation for self-improvement, love of wisdom, and virtue, love for the good of society etc.
• Plato: In his dialogue “The Symposium,” Plato introduced the idea of “Platonic love,” a deep bond focused on intellectual connection rather than physical attraction.
• Aristotle: In “Nicomachean Ethics,” Aristotle emphasized the importance of philia (friendship) as a foundation for virtuous living.

These philosophers shifted the focus of love from mere passion to a deeper inquiry into the good life, ethics, and the cultivation of virtues like temperance, courage, and wisdom.

How did Greek philosophy influence western ideas about love?

The concepts introduced by Greek philosophers, especially the differentiation between types of love like eros, philia, and agape, continue to influence Western thought. Christian theology, particularly its focus on agape as divine love, was directly influenced by Greek terminology and philosophy.

Moreover, modern discussions about ethical relationships, self-love, and the balance between passion and reason can all trace their roots back to Greek philosophical traditions.

What are key concepts of love and friendship in Greek philosophy?

Greek philosophers, particularly Aristotle, held that philia (friendship) was a higher form of love because it was based on mutual respect and a shared pursuit of virtue. Eros (romantic love), while powerful, was often seen as a distraction from the pursuit of wisdom and self-fulfillment.

Conclusion

The Greeks had different ways of thinking about love, using terms like eros, philia and agape. For them love wasn’t just about an emotion but also a virtue, intellectual connection and virtuous living. They remind us that love is complex and encourages us to balance emotion with reason while seeking goodness in our connection with others.

References:

• Well+Good
• Quote
• Reuter’s Study