Agapetism
/əˈɡæpɪtɪzəm/noun
A doctrine or philosophy that treats selfless love as the fundamental principle of religious or ethical life.
Did you know?Agapetism is related to the Christian concept of agápē, a form of self-giving love distinguished from romantic desire or sexual attraction.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀγάπη (agápē)
“Love, especially benevolent or self-giving love”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀγαπάω (agapáō)
“To love, show affection, or value”
Late Greek
Greek
ἀγαπητός (agapētós)
“Beloved, dearly loved, or esteemed”
19th Century
English
agapetism
“A doctrine centered on love, derived from the religious vocabulary of agápē”
Modern English
English
agapetism
“A rare philosophical or religious term for the view that selfless love is foundational”