Alain de Botton on Love

Alain de Botton remarks that 'money, fame, and influence' are valued as 'tokens of love rather than as ends in themselves'. He goes on to provide an unusual and provocative definition of love: 'a kind of respect, a sensitivity by one person to another's existence. To be shown love is to feel ourselves the object of concern. Our presence is noted, our name is registered, our views are listened to, our failings are treated with indulgence and our needs are ministered to.' How interesting - that the power-hungry and fame-addicted would be driven by an underlying need for love.