Love is an Active Striving, Not a Transaction

Love is defined as an active striving and interconnectedness aimed at the happiness, growth, and freedom of its object, rather than just an emotion or a passive experience. This conception differentiates itself from transactional love, which focuses on what others can provide in return. The ability to love is hindered by a tendency to select individuals based on perceived benefits, suggesting that true love cannot be realized until one learns to love universally. Therefore, the ability to genuinely love arises from an inclusive readiness to extend affection to all, rather than a selective approach based on individual gain.