Author Topic: Philia (Read 431 times)

fishywishy · « **on:** June 10, 2007, 03:38:00 AM »

alright, I'm not expecting a lot of replies (or any at all, really) on this topic.. but I need a good definition of the word "philia."

I checked the wikipedia entry..

but I'm told that it means something closer to "love of the broader community."
so, three types of love:
- agape: friendship, platonic love in a sense
- eros: fierce desire (sexual meaning)
- philia: love for the community

the OED [online] states the definition as "Amity, affection, friendship; fondness, liking" and goes on to cite, as its most recent usage of the word, .. 1994 Christian Cent. (Nexis) 10 Aug. 747 -- "We are often reminded that the Greeks had a number of words for the single English word love. There is the eros of lovers, the philia of friends, the agape of self-giving."

So if anyone has studied this (or can provide a nice - and more specific - definition that is a bit closer to mine) could you pleaaase reply with it? Thanks a lot

BL · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2007, 03:40:15 AM »

Last I heard of it, "philia" simply meant love or lover, considering it is used in words like homophile "same sex love(r)" (an archaic term for homosexual), paedophile "child love(r)", zoophile "animal love(r)", and so forth.

fullhouseforever · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2007, 03:43:49 AM »

Strong affinity or affection probably seem to be the most accurate definitions of the term I would think. Probably something like an engraved interest with the element of a spiritual or emotional existence tied into it. Now I'm just getting involved into English class explanations. Hopefully that helps a bit. I'd say this works in that it is applicable to both biotic and abiotic things. But maybe I'm wrong.

fishywishy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2007, 03:51:32 AM »

well, this is for my English exam essay on Tuesday; we got the exam questions on Friday so we can write skeletal outlines over the weekend.

I do know that it is a root that people often believe to have a neg. connotation, but it is one of the three Greek words for love, which, as I said, have slightly varying definitions.

I assume when defining philia as "love of the broader community" it means that you're getting something back, so it's mutual. (whereas eros is not)
I think philia and agape have similar definitions, but I'm still having trouble distingushing

and thanks for replying, BL and FHF!

BL · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2007, 03:55:36 AM »

Yeah... though as an additional note... eros tends to have more of a sexual/porn type meaning, in words like erotic, and agape is hardly love at all from my understanding, but simply deep friendship. I'd assume that buy its common use in prefixes, philia is love for a particular community or group of persons.

fullhouseforever · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:00:39 AM »

I'd say it's in between those two. I still think something that derives some sort of notable emotional response might be related. Let's use "audiophile" as an example.

The basic definition of it is an ardent interest in sounds reproduction. I'd think with some people this reaches a point to where it can really influence in a deep way. Maybe certain levels of sound perfection can just someone be in a place they've never reached before. I certain know people like that.

BL · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:03:50 AM »

I think audiophile is a term coined in the 20th century that did not actually descend from Greek, even though technically it is of Greek origin, because audio is Greek too I think.

fishywishy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:06:40 AM »

hmm, so the revised def'ns would be ..

AGAPE - friendship, *understanding*
PHILIA - mutual friendship, as in a community (give to the community, receive in return from it)
EROS - again, fierce desire, often sexual (although, as a sidenote, it is often said that we feel "eros" for God, because he is so remote from us.. therefore I believe that this is the most superficial love, and satisfaction can never be reached)

fullhouseforever · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2007, 04:06:48 AM »

That wouldn't surprise, although I do think the root being the term we're discussing still seems like it could work. Affection seems to fit in everything so far I think.

Left Turn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2007, 08:34:08 AM »

Here's the definition of phillia from Dictionary.com

philia

Also found this page called Philosophy of Love. It has a section on Philia, which will likely be of use.

fullhouseforever · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2007, 05:08:17 PM »

That's a good link, leftturn. Seems to cover all the ground FW was talking about.

Libby Chessler · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2007, 07:43:56 PM »

Philia...sounds like an abbreviation of "Philadelphia."

fishywishy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2007, 08:10:36 PM »

Leftturn- thanks SO much for that second link - it's JUST what I was looking for!

lol RG, yeah it does, but it's not related at all

Mandy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2007, 10:08:23 PM »

It sort of could be related, couldn't it? Philadelphia is "the city of brotherly love", isn't it, or am I wrong? I might be wrong, I'm just taking guesses lol.

fullhouseforever · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2007, 10:16:52 PM »

I doubt there is any actual relation, but I can see how one could almost see it as a short form, lol.

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Author Topic: Philia (Read 431 times)