When we were kids the easiest things to learn were the ones which are clear!
Like opposites for example! Give a word and we would give you the opposite!
Cold/warm; Good/bad; up/down! You get the gist!
Then again when you grow up, you realize that the world is not so clear cut! That is a blog for another day though!
Today’s blog is to ask you this!
What is the opposite of LOVE?
In all probability you would have told, Hate! That is not the answer by the way!
There are two chief sources which tell the actual opposite of LOVE!
The first is a novel called Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky, which prominently features the quote and concept that “the opposite of love is not hate!”
The book is a scientific exploration of human behavior, examining the biological and cultural factors that shape morality, violence, and kindness. Sapolsky dissects behavior by looking at what happens in the brain a second before an action, expanding backward in time to include the roles of hormones, genetics, culture, and evolution!
Now as said in the book, Love and hate are actually identical and not opposites!
The brain regions involved in strong love and hate are similar in some ways; so the true opposite should represent an absence of this emotional engagement altogether!
The quote is also popular since it was by a Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, which suggests that a lack of feeling or care is a more complete opposite to love than hatred, which is still a strong emotion!
Both the above perspective implies that while hate involves a powerful connection, the opposite must signify a total absence of concern, empathy, and emotional investment.
It is often used to highlight the dangers of apathy, as it allows suffering and injustice to continue unchecked. Even hatred is an intense emotion that, in its own way, still shows that a person or subject matters to you.
The opposite thus must be the complete void of any feeling, which is seen as a more profound opposite to love!
As a Holocaust survivor, Wiesel’s words were rooted in his experiences with extreme violence and a loss of faith. He argued that the lack of empathy of the world was what allowed such atrocities to happen!
The idea has been adopted by many, including psychotherapists and writers, who extend the concept to personal relationships and the human conditions!
Now do not love or hate me if I am not telling you the answer yet!
The opposite of love or hate is what we all suffer from many times; It is INDIFFERENCE…
Then again you can never be indifferent to Dharam paji! He was not only a super man but also a great actor!
He will be missed…
Heartfelt condolences…
Om namah shanthi…
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