Julia Jones wrote:

In message 3A94C545.A7659743@centurytel.net, Mistral mistral@centurytel.net writes

...

Looks more like Phileo with hints of Agape to me - you really cannot have 'Blake' if it's Agape; and while I personally can't see it as Eros, I can see how somebody who wanted to see Eros could read it as Phileo tinged with Eros.

Here working my way through a loooong backlog...

Would someone with greater knowledge or better access to an OED than I currently have care to elaborate on the five types?

I expected Fiona to answer this but since she didn't, and with a _huge_ caveat, since I am not an expert on this, I'll take a stab.

I've only been familiar with Eros, Phileo and Agape, but went digging today and found what I expect are the other two - Storge and Mania.

Eros is love or passion in a sexual sense, the root from which we get the word erotic.

Phileo is brotherly love or friendship - it can include deep and sincere affection, but is generally considered conditional, based on commonality and reciprocation. It is the root from which we get Philadelphia, 'the city of brotherly love'.

Storge is affection based on being used to something - it can apply to a person, a pet, the ragged jeans you won't throw out, or your favourite flavour of ice cream.

Mania, the root of our word maniac, indicates fanaticism, obsession, or idolatry. This kind of 'love' is irrational, and often destructive or self-destructive.

Agape is unconditional or selfless love - a complete commitment to the well-being of another person without regard to one's own gain or loss; it is the type of love that allows you to sincerely want the best for someone who hates you. It may not have a very large _emotional_ component - the commitment is what is important; it transcends the highs and lows of feeling. This is generally agreed to be the type of love Paul was describing in 1 Corinthians 13.

Again, just my inexpert understanding. How I see this applying to B-A, I shall put in my long-overdue reply to Fiona, when my brain stops furring up.

Elsewhere, Harriere wrote:

And I keep meaning to ask why phileo rather than philia when agape and eros are both nouns? Or are we into some other declension I have forgotten?

I haven't the foggiest. That's the traditional Anglicized term for it, as far as I know; I've heard it that way all my life. The oldest or most 'definitive' source I can give you for it at this point is C. S. Lewis's _The Four Loves_ (and even there I'm without a copy of my own to check), as the person I usually query about this sort of thing is incommunicado due to the earthquake.

Mistral