The Importance of Love in Addressing Existential Loneliness

According to Eric Fram's book 'The Art of Loving,' love is deemed as the only sane and satisfactory response to the existential problem of separateness faced by human beings. Fram argues that consciousness makes us aware of our ultimate isolation and the insignificance of our existence in the vast universe. To combat this separateness, people often seek connections with something greater than themselves. However, Fram criticizes modern society for turning love into a commodity, resulting in transactional relationships where individuals seek partners to appease their insecurities. He suggests that true love is an active striving for the growth and happiness of others and does not rely on external factors. Mastery of love requires humility, courage, faith, and discipline, and entails not only loving others but also loving oneself.