IoHT :: Top 150 Definitions of LOVE

From the IoHT's top 150, ranked-by-vote, definitions of love, those definitions shown highlighted express the desire to bond. According to psychologist Erich Fromm, from his classic 1956 book The Art of Loving, "the desire for interperson fusion is the most powerful striving in man." Hence, theoretically, love is related to favored inter human bondings.

In this direction, the science of human thermodynamics is based on the hypothesis that humans are 26-element biomolecules which react, i.e. bond or de-bond, to form such structures as couples, family, friendships, organizations, societies, etc.; see: Molecular Evolution Table. From this perspective, when two or more humans, or more directly "human molecules", bond they become, by definition, one new molecule, having its own unique characteristics, definers, qualities, etc. Specifically, according to this theory, a couple bonded in matrimony should actually sense themselves to be one unique bonded structure more so than two separate entities. To provide a bit of intuitive evidence in support of this "dihumanide molecular thesis", in 2004 human-thermodynamic researcher Libb Thims conducted a survey on the intuitive analysis and colloquial understanding of Love (those results are shown above).

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To be clear, what we are stating is that when a pair of humans fall in 'love', i.e. enter into a romantic ‘relationship’, they are no longer two separate individuals, but rather—they become one molecule. Furthermore, according to science of evolutionary psychology, which studies human mating behavior through both cross-cultural and human evolutionary perspectives, it is known that humans desire twelve facets of attachment, 7 physical and 5 neurological, in bonded mates:

Gibbs, W. (1876). The Scientific Papers of J. Willard Gibbs: "On the Equilibrium of Hetergeneous Substances", Vol. 1, Thermodynamics. Connecticut: Ox Bow Press [HT Books].

Gladyshev, G. (1997). Thermodynamic Theory of the Evolution of Living Beings. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. [HT Books].

Haynie, D. (2001). Biological Thermodynamics (textbook). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press [HT Books].

Hwang, D. (2004). Journal of Hybrid Vigor: "The Thermodynamics of Love", Emory University: [URL].

Muller, E. (1998). “Human Societies: A Curious Application of Thermodynamics”. Chemical Engineering Education [CEE], Vol. 32, Num. 3, summer issue. University of Florida Publications: Department of Chemical Engineering [Abstract].

Smith, J., Van Ness, H., & Abbott, M. (2005). Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, 6th Ed. (textbook). New York: McGraw Hill.

Thims, L. (2005-2006). Human Thermodynamics, Vol I-III. Chicago: IoHT Publishing Ltd. [HT Books].

Thims, L. (2005). "On the Nature of the Human Bond" [HTML], Journal of Human Thermodynamics [JHT], Vol. 1, Issue 5, pgs: 29-59. Chicago: IoHT Publishing, Ltd.

Clark, J. (2004). The Essential Dictionary of Science. New York: Barnes & Noble Book.

In this direction, by simply counting the number of votes, correlating to those favored definitions, as indicated by double asterisks**, which imply that LOVE is defined as: two ‘entities’ uniting to form one ‘entity’, as in: ‘the perfect union of two souls’, we arrive at the result, which says, on the surface, that at least 27% of the populous (80/300votes) agree with the fact that two people in ‘love’, or in a strong ‘relationship’, are actually fused—such to be one ‘new’ unique biomolecular structure, i.e. a "bonded in matrimony" couple.

For example, in definition #67: ‘Two peas in a pod’, which was viewed to be a top-3 definition, the ‘pod’, by analogy, would be the combined human molecular orbital of the dihumanide molecule, and the ‘two peas’ would be the two physical bodies, i.e. the boyfriend and the girlfriend, moving about on a daily-basis within the ‘combined’ molecular orbital of the dihumanide molecule. This would be an example of: two ‘entities’ uniting to form one ‘entity’. In other words, people intuitively ‘sense’ the validity behind this bonded biomolecule supposition—and as many know: intuition is the fruit of truth!

Those definitions, as highlighted in grey, are definitions that we intend to prove to be veritable through the science of human thermodynamics. Definitions, as highlighted in yellow, can currently be explained using existing fields of study. For example, definition #95: ‘A biochemical reaction designed to propagate the species’, can be explained using biochemistry: two germ cells uniting to form one zygote, and biology: survival of the fittest.

Lastly, the reader should have noted, that the answers to garnish the most votes, i.e. the top-six definitions, held the following five key words: LIFE, CARE, FRIENDSHIP, UNION, and FAMILY. In other words, the essence of basic human chemical reaction is the production of ‘LIFE’. Similarly, when bonded to someone, you are going to ‘CARE’, i.e. provide painstaking watchful attention and concern, about your bonded mate, family member, or good friend, etc., more so then yourself—because they in fact—are yourself! In addition, when bonded, there must exist an extreme amount of mutual FRIENDSHIP, if the bond is to be of a ‘stable type’. The Dodecabond Theory explains the UNION part. And obviously, internal, and extended FAMILY, all associate via interconnected, mutually symbiotic bonds, and interrelated reaction paths. Thus, we find agreement between thermodynamics and LOVE.

Bainbridge, D. (2001). Making Babies - the Science of Pregnancy. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Barnes, Julian (1991). Source: Microsoft Encarta - Book of 25,000 Quotations. [British Television Critic: 1946-].

Barton, P. (1998). "Paul Barton's Definition of Love" [URL]

Chamfort, Nicolas. (1795). Source: Microsoft Encarta - Book of 25,000 Quotations. [French Playwright: 1770-1794].

Congreve, William (1700). Source: Microsoft Encarta - Book of 25,000 Quotations. [English Neoclassical Dramatist: 1670-1729].

Hepburn, A. (1945). Source: Audrey Hepburn - an Intimate Portrait [biography]. New York: Carol Publishing Book.

Hoffman, E. & Weiner, M. (2003). The Love Compatibility Book - the 12 Personality Traits That Can Lead to Your Soul Mate. Novato, California: New World Library.

Greene, R. (2003). The Art of Seduction. New York: Penguin Books.

Gibson, S. (2001). The Writer's Choice: "Definition of Love" [URL].

Johnson, Samuel (1750). Source: Microsoft Encarta - Book of 25,000 Quotations. [English Literary Critic: 1709-1784].

Lowndes, L. (1995). How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You. Chicago: Contemporary Publishing Group, Inc.

Margulis L. & Sagan, D. (1995). What is Life. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Margulis L. & Sagan, D. (1997). What is Sex. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Miller, G. (2000). The Mating Mind - How Sexual Choice Shaped the Evolution of Human Nature. New York: Anchor Books (Random House Inc.).

Sri Chinomy Poetry (2004). "The Definition of Love" [URL].

Segal, E. (1970). Movie: Love Story. Source: Microsoft Encarta - Book of 25,000 Quotations. [US Writer: 1939-].

Watson, M. (2004) "The Definition of Love" [URL]

Wilhelm, Leibniz (1710). Source: Microsoft Encarta - Book of 25,000 Quotations. [German Philosopher and Mathematician: 1646-1716].

A: Jason -

No, I don't think so. There are certainly chemical elements involved in the physical attraction between two people, as pheromones and hormones. But scientists are hard-pressed to find a physiological basis for any emotion, especially love. That's not to say that the basis couldn't be out there, but we're no where close to figuring it out yet. So for the time being, this is more a question in the realm of philosophy than science - but I think you could ask anyone who's ever been in love, and they'd probably agree that there's something more to it than simple chemistry.

-Tamara, Physics Van Outreach Program [URL]

University of Illinois Physics Department, part of the:

College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#	WHAT IS LOVE?	VOTES [100 People, 300 Votes]	SOURCE
1	Someone you'd give your LIFE for	1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,3,3	Joel (Chicago)
2	To care about a person more than you CARE about yourself	1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3	Ali (Chicago)
3	Someone you CARE about more than anything	1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,3,3	Vito D. (Chicago)
4	FRIENDSHIP	1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,2,3,3,3	Paul Barton
5	The perfect UNION of two souls**	1,1,1,1,1,2,2,3,3,3,3,3	Cupid
6	FAMILY	1,1,1,1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2	Cupid
7	Patience & Understanding	2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,3,3	Nico (Chicago)
8	Someone who can make you laugh on your worst day	1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,3	Jamie (Chicago)
9	When you can’t live without the other person**	1,1,1,1,1,2,3,3	Tim E. (Chicago)
10	Unconditional mutual acceptance**	1,1,1,2,2,3,3,3	Joe (Chicago)
11	Being there for each other no matter what	2,2,3,3,3,3,3	Greeting Cards
12	Mutual selflessness	1,1,1,1,1,1	Dawn B. (Chicago)
13	Sincere loyalty, affection, and care bestowed without obligation	1,2,2,2,2,3	Telina (Chicago)
14	A feeling of intense sexual desire and attraction toward another**	1,2,2,3,3	American Heritage Dict.
15	An energy so pure that it makes life want to happen	1,1,2,2,3	MuliBoy (Sweden)
16	Being someone’s everything	1,2,2,3,3	Texas Tom
17	A permanent orgasm^☯	1,1,2,2,3	Laura M. (Chicago)
18	Someone you want to do all the time^☯	1,1,2,3,3	Alla (Chicago)
19	A neurological bath of pleasure chemicals	1,1,1,1	Cupid
20	A mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship**,^☯	1,1,2,3	Cupid
21	The sharing of two lives**	2,2,2,2	Cupid
22	Undying devotion	1,1,3,3	Paul Barton
23	The home you find in someone**	1,2,3,3	Deep Eyez of Passion
24	Mutual passion and understanding	1,2,3,3	Piya (Chicago)
25	An unexplainably good powerful internal feeling	1,3,3,3	Alonzo (Chicago)
26	Heaven	3,3,3,3	Cupid
27	A profoundly tender passionate affection for another	1,1,1	Dictionary.com
28	When the destiny of two becomes one**	1,1,2	Cupid
29	A feeling of strong attachment	1,1,2	Dictionary.com
30	Having a strong liking or desire for someone or something	1,1,2	Webster’s Dict.
31	An unexplainable attractive force	1,1,3	Cupid
32	Two hearts beating as one**	1,2,3	Proverb
33	Inner peace found within a relationship**	1,2,3	Rita (Chicago)
34	A eternal everlasting empathy feeling	1,2,3	Lauren (Chicago)
35	Agreement between mind, body, and heart**	2,2,2	Cupid
36	Finding someone who completes your puzzle**	1,3,3	Cupid
37	That special person that makes everything right in your world	2,2,3	Jbadbp (California)
38	An unbreakable bond**	2,2,3	Cupid
39	A balance between yourself and the energies of the world about you	2,2,3	Cozmicbird (USA)
40	Co-dependent emotional stability**	2,2,3	Ele (Australia)
41	When your mate lets you eat the last bite	2,3,3	J-3 (Chicago)
42	A shared uncontrollable magnetic attraction**	1,2	Franz Mesmer
43	An immortal union**	1,2	Cupid
44	An irrevocable moment in life that changes everything	1,2	Cupid
45	Warm fuzzies	1,2	Karen (Chicago)
46	A tight embrace you feel even when you are miles apart**	1,3	Deep Eyez of Passion
47	Something that makes you ache from deep within	2,3	Deep Eyez of Passion
48	Physical, mental, and spiritual unification**	2,3	Cupid
49	Unselfish devotion to kindness	2,3	Jo-Lynn (Chicago)
50	A spell cast upon its victim	2,3	Greene, Robert

#	WHAT IS LOVE?	VOTES	SOURCE
51	When you can use the bathroom after the other and not care	2,3	Natalie (Chicago)
52	Holding hands in the rain without knowing its raining	3,3	Greeting Cards
53	Exchange of chromosomal material	3,3	Margulis & Sagan
54	Choosing to do what is best for another person	3,3	Colebank.com
55	A state of perpetual bliss	3,3	Cupid
56	Insanity^☯	3,3	Psychology
57	An integrated interrelationship beyond the sensible world**	1	Promethean Assembly
58	The fusion of two entities**	1	Cupid
59	Stability amid a world filled with chaos**	1	Cupid
60	A sense of security	1	Ernesto (Chicago)
61	Hanging on to someone no matter what**	1	Brian (Chicago)
62	A spiritual awakening	1	Michael Watson
63	Saying: ‘I Do’	1	Marriage Agreement
64	Something that keeps itself alive today and its genes alive tomorrow	2	Charles Darwin
65	The exchange of two fantasies**	2	Nicolas Chamfort
66	Hot wild animal sex in its most carnal state^☯	2	Nicolas Chamfort
67	Two peas in a pod**	2	Proverb
68	Making babies	2	David Bainbridge
69	Preeminent kindness or devotion to another	2	Dictionary.com
70	Someone who would never hurt you	2	Susie (Chicago)
71	Something that conquers all	2	Proverb
72	Something that is blind	2	William Shakespeare
73	A box of chocolates	2	Forest Gump
74	A dozen roses & a trip to Paris	2	Cupid
75	Power over which one has no control	3	Albert Einstein
76	An extremely stable ‘relationship’**	3	Chemistry
77	A sexual relationship which has stood the test of time**	3	Cupid
78	Seeing the truth in the other without being afraid	3	Elisa, Crazy Stik
79	Two souls frozen in time**	3	Cupid
80	Not having to wear a condom^☯	3	Anonymous (Chicago)
81	Total self-sacrifice	3	Tom B. (Chicago)
82	Sharing life’s most intimate details	3	Leil Lowndes
83	Money^☯	3	Donald Trump
84	The tendency for objects to be attracted to one another	0	Isaac Newton
85	A biological need to procreate^☯	0	Marta (Chicago)
86	A deep fondness for another	0	Oxford American Dict.
87	The transformation of a pair in a thermonuclear reaction	0	Cupid
88	A golden wedding anniversary	0	Cupid
89	Something that makes the world go round	0	Proverb
90	Pleasure in the perfection of another**	0	Wilhelm Leibniz
91	To become one and be happy**	0	Sri Chinmoy Poetry
92	A hit from Cupid’s arrow	0	Casanova
93	The successful seduction of another	0	Cupid
94	An intense emotional state that arises subjectively	0	Dictionary
95	Biochemical reaction designed to propagate the species	0	SeekerofTruth (Texas)
96	Two bodies entwined in the jungle of life**	0	Stryder (London)
97	Dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline mixed in a blender^☯	0	Cupid
98	A cure for the sickness of life	0	Cupid
99	An addiction resulting to yield offspring	0	Tablariddim
100	A diamond, 2 ½ kids, and a mortgage^☯	0	Cupid

#	WHAT IS LOVE?	VOTES	SOURCE
101	Heart felt gazes into each other’s eyes**	0	Cupid
102	A home-cooked meal	0	Cupid
103	First impressions, good character, and equal market value	0	Leil Lowndes
104	When time stands still	0	Einstein
105	The best days of one’s life	0	Cupid
106	The birth of a child	0	Cupid
107	Sexual electricity	0	Leil Lowndes
108	The gift of oneself	0	Jean Anouilh
109	The sun shining on both sides	0	Cupid
110	The wisdom of a fool	0	Samuel Johnson
111	Never having to say you’re sorry	0	Erich Segal
112	Someone to call you darling after sex	0	Julian Barnes
113	A frailty of the mind	0	William Congreve
114	A pair of twisted souls at peace with their place in the universe**	0	Cupid
115	A fool's paradise	0	Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
116	Something you do on Valentine’s Day	0	Cupid
117	The soul & everlasting foundation for the training of our humaneness	0	Heinrich Pestalozzi
118	A morally powerful mental state	0	Douglas Hofstadter
119	A tie that binds**	0	Cupid
120	Something you make instead of war	0	Mottos & Slogans
121	The inevitable circularity of life	0	Douglas Hofstadter
122	A relationship so tight, and wonderful, that it is bonded by blood	0	Sarah Gibson
123	A Boy, a Girl, sit’in in a Tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!	0	Children's Rhime
124	Taking sides with your mate in any argument	0	Rosephjeg (Argentina)
125	The tendency to seek one’s own benefit or advantage	0	Dictionary (Self-Love)
126	A foot-massage, a bubble-bath, and Ben & Jerry’s^☯	0	Cupid
127	A winged seraph	0	Pentateuch
128	The pristine integration of 12 fundament human traits	0	Hoffman & Weiner
129	Winning the hearts of desirable people	0	Cupid
130	An important adaptive decision regarding one’s: ‘familial inheritance’	0	Geoffrey Miller
131	The evolutionary propensity towards heterozygousity	0	Genetics
132	Survival of the Fittest	0	Charles Darwin
133	A thermodynamic equation	0	Libb Thims
134	Runaway sexual selection driven by a positive-feedback mechanism	0	Geoffrey Miller
135	An exchange of goods at the market place of life	0	Cupid
136	The driving force behind the evolution of the human mind	0	Geoffrey Miller
137	The gateway to immortality	0	Geoffrey Miller
138	A process designed to eliminate undesirable genetic mutations	0	Genetics
139	A sieve to ensure highly pathogen-resistant offspring	0	Genetics
140	The release of virtuous energy in a human chemical reaction	0	Libb Thims
141	The spreading of high fitness genes throughout the population	0	Geoffrey Miller
142	Getting someone to spend vast amounts of money on you	0	Anita Loos
143	A heightened state of activation energy [E_A]	0	Libb Thims
144	Large (negative) values of free energy change [ΔG]	0	Libb Thims
145	A psychological illusion	0	Psychology
146	A pair of psychopaths plying to deceive one another	0	Cupid
147	The sexual embrace	0	Merriam-Webster
148	A game of Chess	0	Cupid
149	Lifelong monogamy	0	Cupid
150	Empathy for another human being’s suffering	0	Audrey Hepburn

SYMBOL	KEY
**	Definition supports the dodecabond theory.
☯	Definitions resulting in the most outburst, reaction, or laughter.
Highlight	Possesses valid scientific explanation: thermodynamical, neurological, biological, or otherwise.
Highlight	Hypothetical human thermodynamic explanation.
1	1^st best answer
2	2^nd best answer
3	3^rd best answer
0	No Votes