(April 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm)R-e-n-n-a-t Wrote: I'm not certain that homosexuality is a philia though, as most 'philes are still attracted to their opposite gender, with the philia serving as a modifier to that gender. It's certainly not a choice, but I'm not certain it's a philia for the reason above, so some other name would probably work best. Like "homosexual". Either way, that's not really the topic, so back on tangent...
Technically philia is the greek word for "love" and is used for instance in philosophy meaning love of knowledge.
"Philias" have the psychiatric connotation of being a sexual disorder. For instance in pedophilia and necrophilia. Homosexuality used to be considered a sexual disorder but was removed from that list as the world became more tolerant and accepting of the practice. It has not been considered a "philia" by the psychiatric community since 1974.
"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything." -Friedrich Nietzsche
"All thinking men are atheists." -Ernest Hemmingway
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." -Voltaire
"All thinking men are atheists." -Ernest Hemmingway
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." -Voltaire