The Circularity of Love in the Personalism of Maurice Nédoncelle

Abstract

Love for the philosophy of personalist inspiration emerges as a key element that illuminates the vision of person and intersubjectivity. Love is the relationship par excellence, which orients us towards others, the place and experience of the mutual giving of oneself to others. However, some interpretations have distorted its face and consequently pose a problem for personalist thought. Maurice Nédoncelle, developing the circular character of love, invites us to overcome them, avoiding juxtapositions and distinguishing what is related to reciprocity from what is not. Furthermore, he emphasises the importance of freedom and unmasking the instrumentalisation of the other.