I agree. "Love" seems so much more complicated than various chemical reactions. the longing to be in another's company
and in the case of love for one's children, it seems different from the empathy developed in loving-kindness meditation. growing numbers of people falling in love over the internet?
exactly. Perhaps within a chemical definition of love, there can be a formula, but because of memory and consciousness more might be going on. For example, my cat climbs up on me as soon as I sit on the sofa. But when I'm not in her company, no love. Memory and consciousness must affect the chemistry, you think?
Yes. Micro-moments of love (which are neurochemical in nature) might be the fundamental basis of love, but then there's a whole lot of memory, history and consciousness mixed in - not to mention cultural attitudes and ideals. Ideals such as the "true love" one that Fredrickson is trying to debunk.