I. The Term – II. Eros and Amor – III. Eros and Agape (Caritas) – IV. Eros in Philosophy
I. The Term
The Greek term ἔρως/éros, noun, verb ἐρᾶν/erā́n (“to be in love with”), denotes an intense affection or desire. It can express a passion for an inanimate object, such as wine or one's city, or even for wisdom, as in Plato. However, eros is commonly associated with erotic love or infatuation, and involves a sexual component. It is imagined as being inspired…