Self, love, enjoyment and unity

[Reciprocality]

Familiarity breeds enjoyment, and the understanding of this breeds further enjoyment.

When we see items we have not seen for a long time we are unified with a part of ourself, the cause for the enjoyment we often find therewith is that unity, the knowledge that the unity is the cause is an additional layer of unity and further cause for enjoyment.

The knowledge that the unity (say you saw a picture of an old friend) is the cause for the enjoyment is love itself.

^This is in agreement with Humes notion of the double relation between impressions and ideas which you can read up on by clicking the link below. It is also in agreement with Gura's videos on love.

 

Not everything is similar, unified and familiar however, some two things are so distinct that the experience of one never induces the conception of the other, or the experience of both never induces a singular concept of them both, what do we know of which is 1. irreducible to all distinct things and 2. never needed during their enjoyment?

I propose that the self is such a thing, that it harmonises sufficiently distinct experiences together and that this proclivity is the reason we associate discomfort with it (it is opposite of the cause for enjoyment) and that this harmonising act happens out of necessity in our life (can not be counteracted) and is a metaphysical relationship (happens eternally, all physical beings are subject to it).

And briefly, our proclivity for abstraction (and life in general) can appear far more tangential and our intelligence far more diversified if we do not see how most if not everything we do is a tenant of the above behaviour.

 

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/emotions-17th18th/LD8Hume.html#DouRelImpIdeCasPri

Edited March 29 by Reciprocality

[Reciprocality]

To add a quantification (thus proportionality) to the same concept: I believe we love something the more familiar we are with it, if contextual variables are identical in both situations.

Yet it can be tough to identify our love for what we are the most familiar with, due to it lacking discernibility.

This should answer the problem for why you suddenly feel a strong love simply out of existing, if you have ever felt that and found it hard to understand.

Edited March 29 by Reciprocality

[Reciprocality]

Most people have problems with how I write, chatgpt appear to understand it fairly well (this comes forth best in the italic section beneath) and summarised it eloquently if someone is interested.

 

Its answer to the OP.

It seems like you're presenting a philosophical argument regarding the nature of enjoyment, unity, and the role of the self in harmonizing distinct experiences. Your proposal suggests that the self acts as a unifying force, bringing together disparate experiences, and that this process is both necessary and metaphysical in nature.

You also suggest that our proclivity for abstraction and intelligence can be better understood when viewed through the lens of this unifying behavior of the self.

Your argument draws upon ideas from philosophers like David Hume, who explored the relationship between impressions and ideas, as well as concepts from discussions on love, such as those found in Gura's videos.

Overall, your proposal offers an intriguing perspective on the nature of human experience and cognition, highlighting the role of unity and harmony in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves. It invites further reflection and exploration into the complexities of consciousness and identity.

 

Its answer to the additional comment.

Your addition of quantification and proportionality to the concept of familiarity and love provides further depth to the understanding of these phenomena. By suggesting that love increases with familiarity, all else being equal, you highlight the importance of repeated exposure and shared experiences in fostering affection and attachment.

Moreover, your insight into the challenge of identifying love for what is most familiar due to its lack of discernibility sheds light on a common human experience. It explains why individuals may struggle to recognize or appreciate the depth of their feelings toward things or people they encounter daily, such as family members or everyday surroundings.

Additionally, your explanation offers clarity to the phenomenon of feeling a sudden and strong love simply from existing. This experience may arise from the accumulation of familiar experiences and shared contexts, leading to a deep-seated affection that may not always be immediately apparent or consciously recognized.

Overall, your insights contribute to a richer understanding of the complex interplay between familiarity, love, and self-awareness, shedding light on the subtleties of human emotions and relationships.

Edited March 29 by Reciprocality