PHM 3020: Philosophy of Love Test Three Review

According to Marion in the section "The Silence of Love", philosophy departed from love through three inversions. Which of the following was NOT one of these inversions? 

• a. refusal of love's unity 

• b. refusal of love's primacy

• c. refusal of love's kindness

• d. refusal of love's erotic phenomenon

Answer explanation

Proof: Love distinguishes itself through unity, rationality, and erotic phenomenon which philosophy tends to overlook. (Marion The Erotic Phenomenon PP, slide 7)

T/F: According to Marion, reciprocity is crucial to love and must be accepted.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Proof: "Reciprocity is an obstacle to love and must be rejected." This is because one cannot truly love someone else if they only love on the basis of expecting something in return. (Marion II 2023 PP, slide 16)

The key definition for Bell Hooks account for love is:

• A. Love is the key to ultimate reality and spiritual fulfillment.

• B. Self love is the foundation of our loving practice.

• C. The will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.

• D. The embodiment of love and justice coinciding. 

Answer explanation

Although all of these are important in understanding different aspects of Bell Hooks account of love, the specific definition that is key in her book is C. 

True or False: For Marion, the obstacle for love is reciprocity? 

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Marion is clear that reciprocity is the obstacle for love as requires and relies on the expectation on receiving something in return. 

What does hooks believe about lying?

• A. Lying is a necessary part of life and love.

• B. We are taught to lie and not to express our true feelings, and this cultural acceptance of lying is a primary reason many of us will never know love.

• C. Consumer culture discourages lying and instead promotes a commitment to truth.

• D. Bell Hooks doesn’t discuss lying because it has nothing to do with love.

Answer explanation

We are taught to lie and not to express our true feelings, and this cultural acceptance of lying is a primary reason many of us will never know love. (Slide 15 of hooks 2023 rev. PowerPoint)

True or False Marion believes that love is said and given in one way.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

(Slide 17 of Marion III 2023 PowerPoint)

What does the erotic reduction demand a response to?

• A. How will you love me?

• B. Do you love me?

• C. Does anybody love me?

• D. Why do you love me?

Answer explanation

C is the right answer as cited on PP slide 16 of the Marion The Erotic Phenomenon PP and can also be found on page 20 of the book The Erotic Phenomenon

True or False the order in which the erotic reduction flows is as follows: the advance, the oath, faithfulness, the crossing of the flesh, the adieu

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False, the correct order is the advance, the oath, the crossing of the flesh, faithfulness, and the adieu. In the question the steps of faithfulness and crossing of the flesh are swapped. 

Marion III 2023 - 1 PP slide 1

True or False: Marion rejects the idea of reciprocity in love.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True: Marion believes reciprocity does not belong in love, instead, it makes a relationship one of “exchange and commerce… reciprocity sets the condition of possibility for exchange, but it also attests to the condition of love’s impossibility” (Marion 69-70).

Which of the following is NOT a part of Marion’s Erotic Reduction?

• a. The Advance

• b. The Oath

• c. The Breakthrough

• d. The Crossing of the Flesh

Answer explanation

Answer: C, the breakthrough. See slide 1 of the third PowerPoint on Marion.