"The contrariety of love and hate"

Abstract

In this philosophical examination of the contrariety of love and hate, we aim to show that their opposition is assumed in ordinary speech. Having shown this to be so, we shall proceed to examine the consequences of this assumption, and what amendations need to be made to various statements, in order for us to continue to talk in terms of the contrariety of love and hate. In the course of so doing, we shall bring to light some of the things that are involved in statements in which the terms 'love' and 'hate' occur. What we have discovered, will enable us to see more clearly what sort of contrariety it is, between love and hate, and show us the way to answer the question - 'why do we talk about love and hate in the ways that we do?' We shall find, however, that the way to answer this question only appears when we have fully examined the implications of this assumption that we make in ordinary language. This investigation, is but a very small part of that larger one which is concerned with love and hate in general, and the passions of which these are often considered two. These are troubled areas where many philosophical problems arise, and which demand some logical maps. This present examination, is merely an attempt to provide one of these, for a very small corner of the country. Only a wider and more thorough investigation of the whole, could show whether this present attempt is of any use or help. We do not presume, at this stage, to say whether it is or not.