Theory

Erosology is the study of eros, or passionate love. Its conceptual terrain transgresses both the transcendental metaphysics of Plato, replete with its questions of truth and reason, as well as the openness and inconclusiveness of Socratic dialogue. It links the exoteric, or the trans-rational nature of traditional religion, with the rational or lived experience. In combining metaphysical exploration of questions like why we are here, what our purpose is and how we should live with the individual, rational, inquisitive experience, Erosology delivers a spiritual experience that no longer isolates itself from the materialism and scientism of modernity.

Essentially, it combines metaphysical inquiry into the nature of human behaviour and purpose (which exists in a transrational sense) with the practicalities of how we live in the modern world (the rational experience). In the process of finding and falling in love, we begin to question and rationalise about the nature of the world around us. The deeper we fall in love, the higher we ascend in our understanding of the world, and ultimately transcendence of it. 

Erosology stems from the premise that love is the most fundamental cornerstone of human existence. Our capacity to love ourselves, others and ideals characterises our ability to interact, judge, rationalise and experience the physical and metaphysical world. It is the only truth that explains our evolution from matter to life to mind in terms of our human experience. It is no surprise that love as both a concept and a practice is the basis of all world religious traditions when stripped of their cloaks of magic and mythology.

Whenever we talk of love, we talk of the good. That is to say, we want to identify with, and have, good things forever. Often, the satiation of this desire is through coitus, where the ultimate result might be reproduction. The concept of eros, although often linked with sensual desire, can be interpreted as love that extends beyond this and even beyond philia or love of friendship.  

Eros is usually initially felt for another person, but with contemplation, study and philosophy it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, and even of beauty itself. Eros helps the soul recall the true nature of beauty, and hence ascend to the transcendental realm of perfect knowledge (which Plato called ‘the Forms’). 

Through nourishing and strengthening our rational faculties alongside the passionate experience of love and beauty, we can ascend from mere experience of the physical world to an innate understanding of it. Studying the beauty of ways of life, laws and the sciences allow us to gain knowledge of the world, and this study is coherent with the process of ascending in love. This is the highest goal of erosology.