Is an act of love a good act?

[Mercule]

It all depends on the action. Some truelly terrible things have been done in the name of love that were obviously evil things.

It may have been done in the name of love, but it was not done out of love.

IMHO, love = good.

The quickest and (hopefully) most obvious comparison I have is the Inquisition. It was done in Christ's name, but torturing, etc. are decidedly unChristian things to do.

In other words, evil people are quick to falsely claim even the most noble of motives for their actions. All it is is an excuse, not a reason.

 

[Joseph Elric Smith]

Just remember Love can motivate to do our best but some times can cause us to sink to lows we never thought possible.
ken

 

[Angcuru]

It may have been done in the name of love, but it was not done out of love.

IMHO, love = good.

The quickest and (hopefully) most obvious comparison I have is the Inquisition. It was done in Christ's name, but torturing, etc. are decidedly unChristian things to do.

In other words, evil people are quick to falsely claim even the most noble of motives for their actions. All it is is an excuse, not a reason.

damn straight.

Although I think he ment love between two people, not love for a mythical figure.

 

[Oni]

Just a random thought.

The sacrifice of innocence (rather than a more tangable sacrifice like say one's life) to save something cherished, has always fascinated me. What is the morality of such a personal sacrifice?


[edit: Another random thought. What of the greater good. Is it good to save something out of love, when it might endanger the greater good?]

 

[jgbrowning]

It all depends on the action. Some truelly terrible things have been done in the name of love that were obviously evil things.

I think the OP was more saying the "act" was love. Not the result of a feeling of "love."


joe b.

 

[Angcuru]

One could also act out of love for something...And that something could be evil.

"There is nothing I love more deeply than mayhem and the slaughtering of innocents."

Love has nothing to do with morality as it is merely desire. The thing that is desired may be good/bad/indifferent, but that has nothing really to do with the act of loving it. Therefore, love is neutral.

Let me pose the converse: Is hate automatically evil?

Hate by nature only brings out negative feelings and intentions. Although it may be justified. Example : Hating Nazis for the evil things that they do. Hate is not evil, it is just a negative feeling; BUT, it may lead to evil actions.

 

[randomling]

damn straight.

Although I think he ment love between two people, not love for a mythical figure.

I meant both, really. Love can be for one person, for a deity, an organization, or even for people in general. Someone might sacrifice himself to save a community, out of love for the entire community, for instance.

And I'm a girl, which might explain the question.

 

[Alchemist]

Hate by nature only brings out negative feelings and intentions. Although it may be justified. Example : Hating Nazis for the evil things that they do. Hate is not evil, it is just a negative feeling; BUT, it may lead to evil actions.

That's the answer I was fishing for.

I'm of the opinion that the same reasoning holds for love. It is a positive feeling (to the one in love) and might swing either way, depending on the person.

That is not to say that just because hate=negative feeling and love=positive feeling then hate=evil and love=good. Subjective emotions do not make for objective truths.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Love is one of the classic Good themes in literature.
Love has been associated with Good so strongly that, in my opinion, it could be considered intrinsically Good in and off itself.
So yes, Love could be - much of the time at least - a manifestation of Absolute Good.

 

[DM_Matt]

Although I think he ment love between two people, not love for a mythical figure.

I'm not a Christian...but... OUCH! harsh.