Conclusions

====What motivates an individual to dedicate his life to brotherly love, even at the expense of his personal well-being? A noble character may not explain this phenomena alone. The explanation reflects the complex nature of human psychology, an interplay of a sense of identity and duty, an idea of redemption, and even, perhaps, an supplanting of intimate relationships for relationships with humankind. José Martí and Poem XXXIX give one a taste of the complexity of an individual's relationship to humanitarian love. ====

After looking at these four translations of love, it is phileo brotherly love that José Martí expresses in this poem XXXIX of Versos Sencillos. An agape love would have to be altruistic with no personal, selfish motive. Even though Martí may have desired that, a non-regenerate human who has not experienced God’s pure, selfless love cannot love with no ulterior motive. Martí might not have recognized it but through his desire for treating all equally he would receive himself personal benefit and gain. The poem expresses his personal desires for a more peaceful, unified Cuba. I believe he identified with the common interest of the people of Cuba despite their differences. Martí states in the prologue of his Versos Sencillos that the verses came from his heart and I would say from his innards. They were emotions of kindness and well-being that he desired for his fellow countrymen hoping that treating everyone equal would create a more peaceful and unified Cuba. Their companionship and common interest have brought them together in brotherly love to treat each one equally and cultivate a white rose even for the cruel man who rips out your heart.

====If love is a means used to achieve a higher form of beauty as Plato claims, then love becomes a motivated, reason-dependent, selfish method of achieving something unachievable. If we consider the only true love the one dedicated to a Supreme Being, can it be more than an invention created in a desperate desire to reach salvation or a conscious decision imposed by society? If, on the other hand, we decide to define brotherly love according to the secular Aristotelian perspective, then it is not only elitist, but is secondary to a narcissistic love for the self. Finally, if we’re not satisfied with either of these options and consider love to be an abstract form that we may not fully understand, how could we even make the claim that we “love” then? Plato rightfully said that “Mankind, judging by their neglect of him, have never, as I think, at all understood the power of Love. For if they had understood him they would surely have built noble temples and altars, and offered solemn sacrifices in his honour; but this is not done, and most certainly ought to be done: since of all the gods he is the best friend of men, the helper and the healer of the ills which are the great impediment to the happiness of the race.” (3) Nevertheless, we are stubborn creatures. Without being able to fully understand love in its entirety, we have transformed it into an invented mode of being for the “meantime”, a broad category that reflects all sorts of behaviors and language expressions, some less genuine than others, some completely egotistic, most entirely deceitful. ====

==== Psychologically speaking, I conclude that when I relate my research of the psychological aspects of love with the poem of Jose Marti, I would have to say that commitment is the factor or trait among relationships that stand out. The following schema is a process of interpersonal relationship whether it is romantic or brotherly love. This reminds me of the poem that says that no matter whether my friends are sincere or do something to hurt me, I will always cultivate that white rose for them, I will always be there and be good to them. Do we make a conscious choice as Fromm says or do we let our emotions choose our friendships or relationships for us? Maybe Jose Marti is naïve or maybe he is just one of those people who are forgiving or accepting of other’s no matter what they do. Choosing to forgive or accept is a conscious choice. If it were dominated by feelings, due to our experiences with human nature and its reactions, emotionally that acceptance or forgiveness may not be as forthcoming. ====