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Feb 1, 2023
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Eric Mauro's avatar

The bidirectional attractiongg doesn’t account for inequality either, which is why the Marxists can always claim it’s exploitive. The idea of a reciprocal relationship that builds something greater is enacted most obviously through children, but really should be there in other parts of the relationship. This is why generosity is really the key to happiness and greed for credit is so destructive. because even if the relationship is unequal, you can still allow your partner to contribute whatever they can to a multiplied result.

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Eric Mauro's avatar

Girard’s idea of attraction taking place in three directions expands the simple trade off between two people. The more you express your attraction the more your subject can fall in love with an image of themselves; you become a rival with your beloved. In his model this is an especial danger with somebody who is desired by a lot of people, who fuel their self-love. His essays on Shakespeare have a lot of this.

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