Chemical reactions - Pg 310 #1

It is undeniable that a lot of what love is, has to do with our biological make up. Shannon Brownlee and Helen Fisher discuss this topic in both of their essays. Brownlee says "We are not just programmed for reproduction: The capacity for loving emotions is also written into our biochemistry" (Brownlee 295) while Fisher states "...the essential choreography of human courtship, love, and marriage has myriad designs that seem etched into the human psyche, the product of time, selection, and evolution" (Fisher 299). So, no girls, love is not just a figment of our imagination, and guys feel it too, although sometimes there love is not as lasting and is combined with their other desires... While these essays reveal some truths about human love and the chemistry that goes along with it, there are also some questions that they bring to the table.

If we were to view love as purely being chemical and biological, this would surely wreak havoc on the already tenuous relationships of the 21st century. Men already make excuses for their bad behavior. If we gave them an excuse like biology they would always shrug their shoulders and say they couldn't help themselves, it's in their DNA. Men do have some biology contributing to their despicable ways. In Fisher's article she explaines that men will stray to increase the likelihood of passing on their genetics (307). But they also have brains and if they would try to separate those from their hormones perhaps women would trust them a little more... A purely biological perspective could also convince people that they would not have to try in a relationship. With their intuitive chest thrusts and "apocrine" glands men might feel that their DNA would make up for being a jerk but they would be mistaken.

The idea that biology is the only contributing factor of love seems to be a mistake to me. It should be a connection of souls. But of course chemistry plays a huge role. However, biology should not be taken advantage of and blamed for humans' love problems and cheating hearts. We all have brains that can help us control our chemical and biological urges. Love is more than a chemical reaction in a person's body.