The Significance of Love, As Gleaned from Clive Staples Lewis and Jean-Luc Nancy Essay Example

values or interests and discovering a kindred soul.

According to Lewis, having friends requires wanting something beyond just friendship. This creates a shared aspiration or goal that connects two individuals and eliminates self-centeredness. Lewis argues that those who have nothing in common cannot truly be friends. Even though we may hope for perfect friendships, they are not always possible.

According to Lewis (80), friendship can either be viewed as "a school of virtue... (or) a school of vice," but ultimately, it is a sublime connection that allows individuals to see the beauty in each other (Lewis 89). Contrarily, Nancy's concept of love emphasizes that it is not self-love and is an extreme movement towards completion (Nancy 86, 94). Nancy's concept of "Shattered Love" is further elaborated in a 2001 roundtable discussion with Avital Ronell and Wolfgang Schirmacher, where he defines love as transcending any subject or self (Nancy).

The act of giving in love contains an element of surrender, a recognition that one cannot possess oneself. To give is to abandon the self, as possessing the self would entail holding onto it. Thus, to love involves entrusting oneself to another. This act could be described as being "shattered," signifying the giving of oneself as both possession and present to oneself, while also giving up and relinquishing something that the other possesses. This is made possible by recognizing that the other is also a self, thereby sharing in the impossibility of being completely self-sufficient.

Nancy posited that love is vulnerable and easily shattered. According to her, when someone experiences love, it re-presents them to themselves as broken. This is not just a representation, as the break

in self-possession as subject interrupts the process of relating to oneself outside of oneself and constitutes the self as broken. Nancy explained that even the slightest act of love creates an ontological fissure, disconnecting the elements of the subject and its fibers of the heart (96). Therefore, love inherently involves vulnerability and is likely to rupture something within oneself or between others.

Experiencing a range of intense emotions, such as ecstasy, joy, disappointment, and pain, is an integral part of the intricate relationship between two people in love. These strong feelings may temporarily lead individuals to lose their sense of self in a remarkable manner. Jean-Luc Nancy's notion of discovering happiness in another person strikes a chord with many because it underscores how love can change someone. Although I concur that an all-consuming love can cause one to immerse themselves completely in their partner, it is crucial to recognize that this does not imply losing one's individuality.

According to Nancy, love's moral expression requires a powerful connection between individuals, especially spouses, as they carry out their duties to each other. Although they begin as separate entities, these people unite and become indivisible, leading to a sense of vulnerability that those in love must accept. In this situation, Nancy suggests that the person's self-possession is shattered or disturbed, causing the formation of a "heart" made up of the broken pieces (Nancy 96).

According to Nancy, love is a force that transcends finitude and is always directed from one person to another. Love reveals the truth of finitude and presents it in a dazzling way (Nancy 99). In the context of a community of others, two people in love

share this experience. While I find Nancy's concept of love to be complex, I believe that love should be both effortless and puzzling, leading to moments of pain that, when overcome, deepen the relationship between two people.

In my opinion, true love is characterized by being caring and selfless, and has the power to restore and heal one's shattered individuality or sense of self. While I am somewhat uncertain about C. S. Lewis' perspective on friendship, I do share his belief that those with nothing in common cannot truly connect or travel together. (Lewis 67).

Having shared interests is crucial for building a strong friendship, as it provides a solid basis for the relationship. However, friendships can also develop from other factors beyond common activities or hobbies. These connections should not be classified under category C because they do not involve any romantic feelings associated with Eros.

Despite S. Lewis's specific opinions, the concept of friendship still fits within its general definition. I concur with Lewis's belief that friendship is truly a form of love (67). Through friendship, individuals can find themselves and improve themselves, thanks to the unique bond and caring they share. This kind of love is free of both instinct and obligation (77), making it incredibly valuable for a fulfilling life.

My perspective differs from C.S. Lewis's belief that friendship can be as potent as romantic love. Although friendship holds its own profound connections, it does not elicit the same intense physical and emotional responses as romantic love. In contrast, romantic love encompasses sensory, emotional, and spiritual pleasures to a greater extent than any other form of affection.

While it is possible for friendship to serve as

a foundation for romantic love, comparing the strength of these two types of love is inappropriate. Ultimately, God may use friendship to unveil each person's beauty to one another.

The beauty of a genuine friendship is a reflection of a God-given magnificence when allowed to develop at its own pace. Such a relationship makes it easy to appreciate and tolerate all other things. On the contrary, when a friend becomes an enemy, it contradicts the notion that friendships reveal the beauty of others as designated by God. Nevertheless, in an imperfect world, those who find joy in the companionship of others can learn to be selfless, tolerant, and forgiving of each other's flaws and faults.

According to C. S. Lewis' chapter on friendship and Jean-Luc Nancy's "Shattered Love," true friendship is characterized by the ability of humans to go beyond themselves and experience something transcendent. Both texts emphasize the significant influence of different types of love.