- THE PROJECT
The project is a pioneering academic endeavor dedicated to exploring the concept of “Social Love” on a global scale. The World Love Index serves as a longitudinal and transnational measure of Social Love.
- THE CORE IDEA
In our project, at its core, social love takes on a public dimension, serving as the foundation of solidarity among individuals, groups, and entire populations. It encompasses critical actions, interactions, and social relationships devoid of calculation and expectations of reciprocation. Going beyond primary, familial, and intimate bonds, it extends to those who are different from us, such as strangers and foreigners, with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable, future generations, and even nature itself. In this sense, social love manifests as care for others and the world.
- THE METHOD
Developed within the framework of the International Sociological Association Thematic Group 12 “Social Love and Solidarity” in collaboration with Working Group 8 “Emotions and Society,” the Project utilizes the method of secondary data analysis from numerous surveys and ecological sources available at a global level to construct a global index of social love among citizens and institutions. Complemented by other qualitative and quantitative studies, it aims to unravel the complexities of social love across diverse socio-cultural contexts.
At the heart of our endeavor lies the conviction that social love is not merely an abstract ideal but a tangible force for positive change promoting social cohesion, resilience, and well-being.
- ATLAS
- SOCIAL LOVE
According to the sociological perspective we define agape (social love) as an action, relationship, or social interaction in which subjects’ exceed all antecedents – in giving and receiving, or not giving, doing or taking care – supersedes all antecedents, and therefore, offers more than the situation demands with the intent to bring benefits (Iorio, 2016).
Theory
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