Ambrose2007: I'm currently debating this subject with a friend. He believes that through a combination of therapy, hypnosis, self-suggestion, and sheer willpower one make oneself fall out of love (he's claims to have done this with a long-time girlfriend). He also contends that one can will oneself to fall in love with someone. We might not *want* to fall in love with someone because of personal incompatibilities, but if one wanted to do so it would be possible - even if the person were poorly compatible.
He also applies this across the board to our desires: we could, for example, will ourselves to have different tastes in women (for example, change from liking skinny women to overweight women) if we so chose.
I believe there are quite a number of problematic elements in his position, but I'm wondering what thoughts my fellow CSers might have on this subject...
Therapy, hypnosis, self-suggestion, and sheer willpower ?
Gosh, sounds like too much work to me
Seriously, I do think love initially is a form of temporary insanity, caused by lust, projection and illusions that can quickly fade as reality and the light of day arrives.
Falling in love is easy; staying in love should just happen.
The Limits of Free Will: Can one will oneself in and out of love?: click here to read the entire thread »