Perhaps of all the mysteries in life one of the most baffling is the concept of love, specifically human love and the many aspects within it. Even psychoanalyst Eric Fromm stated "there is hardly any word which is more ambiguous and confused than the word love " (Thims, 2007, p. 517). With love being so complex and mysterious it has inspired professionals from poets to scientists for thousands of years to explore its wonder, research its affects on our lives and marvel at its magic through countless stories, plays and books written on the subject. So what is love? Many psychologists have presented arguments to show love as a series of biochemical components, while others simply view love as a social response. By presenting the science behind the physiological responses of the brain, some early ideas on love that are still held today, and by outlining the evolutionary and social views on the nature of love, it will be argued that the best explanation of love does not come from taking a naturalistic perspective and viewing it simply as a product of our biological constitution. The idea that love is simply a product of our biology is not enough when it comes to unlocking the mystery of love. .
Love is one of many human emotions. Yet coming to a conclusion or even understanding why love is needed or how it happens has never been easy. Studies into the chemical components and physiological aspects of the human brain have been looked at even centuries ago, with many believing it to be something science would never come to understand. Many believed love to be more than simply a human emotion, with many believing it dominated the soul or entity of the person it consumed while others believed it was a gift handed down to man from the gods. There have been many ideas and theories of what love is, looks like and how its origins have been speculated by many including the respected philosopher Plato.