Looking deeper into the picture , analyzing the nature and philosophy of love helps define the love that is being displayed . Love can be classified into three Greek terms : eros , agape , and philia . This image mainly represents two of the 3 different classifications of love as eros is more of a romantic love . Agape love involves commitment and showing faithfulness . This type of love is “ extended to include a brotherly love for all humanity ” ( Moseley 2 ). In this picture , the soldier is dressed in his uniform in an environment that looks like a war zone . Being a soldier means you are serving you country and fighting for freedom . The amount of courage , determination and sacrifices that are made are undeniable . A soldier not only is fighting for their country , but also helping the innocent civilians whose country is in war and home is in complete destruction . This signifies the soldier showing their love for all of humanity . This classification of love that is seen in the picture can also follow one of Plato ’ s theories . In short , Plato states once you appreciate God , you can have a greater love for everybody else . It is easy to perceive the soldier ’ s love for the young boy and even the boy ’ s love for the soldier in this picture .
The next classification of love is called philia . Philia “ encompasses love for fellow humans , care , respect , and compassion for people in need ” ( Moseley 4 ). This soldier is showing his love for this little boy in need . This young boy may have lost his family and home in the war and now has nobody . The American soldier may give the boy a sense of security and even a sense of parental love which goes beyond friendship . Exploring the different classifications of love can help generate what it really signifies .
When interpreting this picture from the soldier and young boy ’ s point of view , it gives a greater sense of what love and emotions may be expressed . Hand gestures and people ’ s physical behavior may speak more than words . All around the world , there are different cultures that express love in different ways . A handshake , a kiss , and a hug may be a bigger representation of love than speaking words . In a lot of European cultures , a kiss on the cheek , is a greeting to somebody that they may not even know . Even in a professional environment this is seen as an acceptable gesture . In the American culture , this may be viewed more negatively and a handshake would be more appropriate . With the multitude of gestures around the world for the word “ love ”, it is clear that both our environment and society play a large role in what is accepted and customary . In this picture , the soldier is reaching his hand out to the young boy . It is perceived that there is silence among them , but both of them shared a smile with each other . Overall , emotions and
16 love can be expressed in different ways depending on the situation .
With that being said , Brian Parkinson and his colleagues created a theory that describes emotion in a particular way . He shares that emotion is “ something that emerges directly through the medium of interaction . Interpersonal factors are typically the main causes of emotion , and emotions lead people to engage in certain kinds of social encounter or withdraw from such interpersonal contact ” ( Johnson 5 ). The contact of both their hands is a symbol of the soldier ’ s love for the young boy . Most likely , the boy and soldier speak two different languages , so this handshake may have been their only form of communication of love . A philosopher , Kristina Wasa , shares “ Love does not enter by the ear , it enters by the eye ” ( Conley 8 ). Therefore , not even speaking words may be more powerful in expressing love . This handshake can also symbolize unity . The young boy and soldier are of two completely different cultures and backgrounds . Therefore , this symbol of love can create more unity and peace for people all over the world .
On the other hand , viewing this picture as being on the outside of it , could create a variety of different perspectives from the public . An emotion can be defined “ as a response to a specific stimulus that can be internal , like a belief or a memory ” ( Johnson 1 ).