Unlimited Love - Altruism, Compassion and Service

Stephen Post is a professor of biomedical ethics who is also director of the newly founded Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, set up with initial funding from the John Templeton Foundation. The Institute has awarded its first round of funding in six areas, some of which are also reflected in the structure of this book. The book offers an extensive definition of unlimited love, observing that 'generous love for others is the main purpose of our life, the most enduring source of meaning and dignity, and the basis for all lasting self-esteem'. The research is inspired by the early work of Harvard sociologist Pitirim Sorokin, whose classic work 'The Ways and Powers of Love' I will review fully in the next issue. After an extensive discussion of the meaning and measure of unlimited love, Post surveys scientific, ethical and religious perspectives, including the evolution of altruistic love, parental love and the Christian ethical perspective on the 'extensivity' of love. The last part considers the scientific field and summarises the research projects currently under way. Although full contact details are given for the project directors, it is a strange omission that the author's own institute does not feature. Those interested can however pursue this through www.templeton.org