General Theory of Love Book Report

The book A General theory of love by Lewis, Amini, and Lannon enlightens my mind regarding relationships and love (29). It also teaches me well about allowing myself to be loved by others and to freely allow myself to love. It is striking when he says that love is a            physiological process. It is good to have a book that explains the scientific side of love, and how humans develop this emotion. It is striking that the book mentions about limbic resonance and regulation. The self becomes an active participant of others people well being. The self should not be confined solely. The self biologically needs another person or a group of healthy individuals capable of limbic regulation. Love is now a scientific process, with specific measures to analyze and even cure social pathology (Lewis, Amini, and Lannon 380).

Lewis, Amini, and Lannon explicate how science can explain the process of human emotions  and the special feeling that humans call love (56). The authors clearly explains what happens in the seat of emotions while we interact with other people. They explain why humans intrinsically and biologically need love. Love, as explained in the book, can influence the totality of the human body. Love is physiological process that involves the whole being, and influences others. Love can do much. The book offers scientific explanation on how people develop love and certain pathologies that society create (61).

The book also highlights the need of children for limbic resonance and regulation. These acts of love help children cultivate a secure infant bond. These also enables the child to have a healthy identity towards his self and others. Creating memorable experiences for the child will enable himher to develop a healthy understanding of love (Lewis, Amini, and Lannon 374).

The book is successful in delineating scientific arguments on how love seats in the human brain, and its involvement in the neural, endocrine, and other systems in the body.

The book, A general theory of love, is successful in enabling readers to have self awareness on the basic need to love and the natural inclination to give love. Love is not confined in the emotions, it works interrelatedly with other systems in the body, and coordinates with the daily functions. The book is successful in defining the concept of limbic resonance and regulation, neocortical activity and attachment. The author defines the concepts in a professional way without being wordy or too technical. The book is successful in giving a better understanding of ones emotions, how to control irregularity, and a renewed outlook on wellness. Lewis, Amini, and Lannon advocate a life  lived with love as it heals and develops the person explicitly and implicitly (68).

The limitations of the book is in the use of resounding triune model of the human brain by Paul MacLean HYPERLINK httpen.wikipedia.orgwikiPaul_D._MacLean expounding on the limbic system (Lewis, Amini, and Lannon 37). The authors should have explored and tackled new researches about human emotion process. The insights are nevertheless helpful and informative.

The book explains the information in the text through careful definition of terms and illustrating situations. For example, neocortical brain is explained as the area enabling the ability to decode emotional messages of statements. It goes with paragraphs elucidating how neocortical brain functions inside the human brain (Lewis, Amini, and Lannon 28). It gives prime situations in which readers can reflect from real life. The language, though quite traditional, nevertheless is comprehensible enough for the average college student and love enthusiast.

The book explains the basic ideas in a way different from text at one instance. Lewis, Amini, and Lannon argue that emotional life can be influenced, but it cannot be commanded (31). His line of argument simply means that love itself has its own methodology. Force has no way into the sphere of love. Love naturally unfolds and develops regardless of pressure. However, in real life, emotional life can be commanded. People, most of the time, find themselves moved by command to do acts of love. In many ways, emotional life or even love can be commanded. The strong will can command emotional life or love. I define strong will here in a spiritual sense. I can see no failure on the book in comparison to the text. The authors have done a satisfactory way of presenting their intention to expound on the general theory of love.

Lewis, Amini, and Lannon mention about Stability. Stability describes the state wherein a person find limbic regulation, and means to live closer (81). My experience in life resounds similar to the authors  description on stability. I realized that most of my intimate friends are the ones who comforted me well, and I am most comfortable with. These intimate friends spend quality time with me, give frequent affirmation through hugs, create memorable experiences through fun activities. I have also shared, to some extent, the same limbic regulation to them. These intimate friends are for years now, and I am happy that I  realize that love relationships are ought to be taken care of regularly. Love is not tedious, it will naturally enable me to develop qualities suitable for my love relationships.

The book helps me realize that I need not to be alone. I should allow myself to experience love in a healthy environment. Interdependence is better than independence. The book also helps me to understand my deep longing for love, and my quest to receive it. Love is a beautiful gift for mankind I can appreciate now that humans are meant to love one another. Love partnership is also a lifetime achievement and a responsibility. To give, receive, and experience love helps human beings to develop fully. Love affects other people and can indeed change lives.

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