Do you require scientific evidence and proof that your children and your spouse love you?

After having been married a few times and heard the words "I love you" from several people that turned out not to be exactly truthful in this matter, I don't need scientific proof, but a signed affidavit and a prenuptial agreement would be nice, lol

I see your point, but I also see where it fails.

In specific cases, such as my own, we establish a degree of certainty on the matter. I have certain emotional responses which I express in particular ways. When I note similar reciprocal expressions in my loved ones, I make the assessment that they are likely experiencing similar emotional triggers. According to the situation and assessing all the relevant data I am aware of, I can assign a degree of certainty that they are truly experiencing the emotion called love. All considered, my assessment is based on an application of reason, not on 'taking it for granted.'

Further, while we may be deprived on certain data during everyday experiences, it is possible to record and quantify the chemical reactions in the body that produce the emotion love. Here, at least, we have evidence that love exists in a general case. The same can not be said for the other matter.

The Scientific method (based on observation and reality checking) tells us not to believe things because we want them to be true! the correct scientific response to any new discovery or theory, especially if it is yours or one which is close to your heart, is try to find where it is lacking and therefore disprove it!

Now if that was used in your personal relationships 24/7 you would end up paranoid and those in your life would lose Faith and Trust in you!

Trust is a very important part of any relationship!

I will further point out the problem concerning the scientific study of such a dynamic system, such as Marriage!

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=im0Z7lRrBR8&feature=...

It can change day to day and it depends on humans who have very individual behaviour patterns, which are all to often a result of their understanding of the Narrative!

You say "If an Atheist can take love for granted, without scientific evidence, then...."

Every one at sometime or others, and in fact, sadly, all to often, takes love for granted, it is the way of most humans.

The fairy tail may tell us differently. but if it were truly the case that humans didn't act in this way, then there would be no need for many of the stories in the Bible, as well as other forms of narrative!

Now you have ask for Scientific proof of the love between yourself and your children and your spouse love, here in Yahoo answers!

Such a complexity, answered in so few pages!

You would need volumes just to define all the various forms of love and each and every pro and con of every day which will shift the needle !

Have you study Cybernetic feed back, and complex systems? The study you refer to would be more complex than that of predicting the weather!

No sorry here it is just best, to enjoy the sunshine and do your best to make the most of it!

In sickness and Health, poverty and wreath, through the goods times and the bad times.

Asking why and How much leads to word fatigue, which leads the a meaningless state of affairs!

I hope that helps you understand things a little better.

P:S: I chose a clip in French to highlight the problems of communication which is present between humans!

What an interesting parallel....

Yes, I do require proof that they love me. Which, they give, however imperfectly (and I to them). Evidence that makes for statistical and, as CURRENTLY understood, scientifically relevant certainty is harder to come by since each person in my family is not only unique, but there are certainly less than 385 of my wife or son(s), thereby making confidence within any degree of certainty impossible to prove....*

But, based on the evidence of two or three witnesses**, which is the "non-modern scientific" way of establishing something, it's a bit easier. But, our "superior" culture that worships expert accuracy is ill suited to judge a past culture that had more life in it in a day than we do in a year..., even though it still does....

I disagree with your divorcing emotion/feeling and action, LEW, because we are complete people that we have to deal with completely (emotions, body, soul, spirit, intellect within a single dynamic entity interacting with other dynamic entities), not bifurcated, distinct and segregated parts that make up some abstract ontological phenomena, that we can re-constitute and call a person. [NOTE: This is another curse of expertise in our culture - experts in different parts of the person (behavioral, cognitive and other psychologists - all good and necessary), but not sages that understand and know the whole person.]

BTW - the evidence is in - God has reveal Himself to us in Christ: "When you see me (Jesus), you see the Father"!

I do not require scientific evidence that my children love me. I have the proof already.

Very well done. I've the urge to put my running shoes on right now. lol

I cannot be certain that "love" even exists, let alone postulate that it means the same thing to me that it does to my (hypothetical) wife and kids, nor speculate that the same phenomenon occurs in them.

For me, social interaction indicative of a loyal pair-bond or parental relationship are sufficient for me to continue my own relationships. I don't worry about whether or not they "love" me, as long as our interactions remain mutually benificial, physically and emotionally.

Perhaps this could be one reason why my wife and children remain hypothetical.

Love is a verb, it's something we do... since God hasn't been proved to do anything so far.....well you follow

Do I need to get more scientific proof that my kids love me than a voluntary hug from a seven year old?

No,I don't require Scientific Proof that they Love me.I judge it solely by their actions.Those who truly love you will always stand by you,will treat you fairly,will help whenever it is within their power,etc. Unfortunately sometimes you misjudge,as I did with my Ex-Wife,who turned out to be a clearly heartless *****.I guess it's the risk you take.

That in no way relates to the issue of God,since one thing I know for certain is that whether those around me Love me or not,I at least know they exist.We don't know any such thing about God.Believing God exists is really no different than believing in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny,all equally unprovable.

Obama666

I dont need that proof because it is a FACT that they exist. That is the starting point. After that . we work on the love.

Love is a name given to and inanimate thing. There is no set definition or proof of any such thing. Everyones definition changes with perception. It is essential a feeling and a belief - which have nothing to do with proof.

I don't need proof that the sky is blue. But then again, the sky being blue is an idea that easily fits within the realm of common sense and logic.

And it is more logical that my girl and kids love me because as opposed to faking it because logically, why would you display affection if you didn't love someone