Amore Amicizia -

is defined by Philia —a horizontal bond. It is inclusive rather than exclusive. You can have many friends without diminishing the value of any one of them. Friendship is the "quiet room" of the soul; it lacks the turbulent demands of romance but offers a steady, unconditional consistency. The Presence of "The Third"

Philosopher C.S. Lewis famously noted that while lovers stand face-to-face, absorbed in each other, friends stand , absorbed in a common interest. Love is about the "we," while friendship is often about the "world" the two people share—a hobby, a belief, or a history. Conclusion Amore amicizia

At their core, both love and friendship require . Both involve the "elective affinity"—the act of choosing another person to witness your life. In many ways, the best romantic relationships are built on a bedrock of friendship, and the deepest friendships often carry a platonic love so fierce it rivals romance. The Divergence of Intensity is defined by Philia —a horizontal bond