We can only learn to love by loving

We can only learn to love by loving

Iris Murdoch, the renowned British philosopher and novelist, believed that love is not something that can be learned through theory or intellectual understanding alone. Instead, she argued that love is a practice that must be actively engaged in and experienced in order to truly understand its complexities and depths. In her work, Murdoch often explored the themes of love, morality, and the human condition, delving into the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which love can shape and transform our lives.

Murdoch believed that love is not simply a feeling or emotion, but a way of being in the world that requires us to engage with others in a deep and meaningful way. She argued that true love is not selfish or possessive, but rather selfless and compassionate, seeking the well-being and happiness of the other person above all else. In her novel "The Bell," Murdoch explores the complexities of love and desire through the character of Dora Greenfield, a young woman who struggles to navigate her own feelings and desires in the midst of a tumultuous love triangle.

For Murdoch, the idea that we can only learn to love by loving is a profound and transformative concept. She believed that love is a practice that requires us to be vulnerable, open, and willing to engage with others in a deep and meaningful way. Through the act of loving, we come to understand ourselves and others more fully, learning to see beyond our own desires and needs to the humanity and complexity of those around us.

In her philosophical work, Murdoch often explored the ways in which love can shape our moral and ethical beliefs, arguing that love is the foundation of a truly ethical life. She believed that love requires us to act with compassion, empathy, and understanding towards others, recognizing their inherent worth and dignity as human beings. By engaging in acts of love and kindness towards others, we come to understand the interconnectedness of all beings and the ways in which our actions can have a profound impact on the world around us.