3 Types of Love: Filial, Eros and Agape

3 Types of Love

We experience different kinds of love throughout life — family love, love for our friends, love for our partners or spouses, and spiritual or religious love. Is all love the same? Let's break them down.

Filial Love

One of the three types of love we discuss in counseling, filial love is intrinsic to all human beings. It's the affection we feel for our parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, and even humanity as a whole. This love doesn't involve sexual attraction but instead reflects a deep bond that is caring and compassionate.

Eros Love

Eros is primarily physical and sexual in nature. It's the most superficial of the three types of love and requires little effort. Eros is the kind of affection you feel when attracted to someone, and it's often the love experienced between partners or spouses. While it's powerful, a relationship based solely on Eros can struggle without deeper emotional connections.

Agape Love

Agape is the deepest, purest form of love. Known as "Godly love," this is the love tied to our spirituality or relationship with the divine. Just as filial love is naturally programmed into us, Agape is thought to be programmed into us spiritually. It represents selfless, unconditional love at the soul level — a love that transcends personal needs and desires.

Theories on Love

• Everyone is born through love; there is no such thing as a newborn with harmful intent — we become this.
• It is possible to experience all three types of love simultaneously.
• Marriages based solely on Eros are more likely to end in divorce.
• Those with poor boundaries may struggle to distinguish between Filial and Eros.
• Individuals with low self-esteem may find it hard to accept Filial love.
• You can love more than two people at once.
• Discontinuing love for someone is a choice.
• No matter how troubled the relationship, a filial bond often remains between parents and children.
• Everyone is lovable — yes, even you!

If you are interested in exploring these concepts further and are located in Texas, feel free to book an appointment at The Good Center.