John Alan Lee’s Colours of Love: An Exploration of the Ways of Loving, published in 1973 by New Press of Toronto, represents a groundbreaking contribution to the psychological understanding of human affection. Lee, a Canadian sociologist and activist who taught at the University of Toronto, developed his innovative theory of love styles based on extensive research conducted for his doctoral dissertation at the University of Sussex.
The book introduces a compelling framework that likens love to a colour wheel, proposing three primary love styles from which all others derive. Eros represents passionate, romantic love driven by physical attraction and intense emotional connection. Ludus describes playful love approached as a game, where partners seek enjoyment without deep commitment. Storge embodies the gradual affection that grows from friendship and shared experiences, resembling familial bonds.
From these primary styles, Lee identifies three secondary combinations. Mania combines Eros and Ludus, producing obsessive, jealous love characterized by emotional extremes. Pragma merges Ludus and Storge, representing practical, logical love where partners evaluate compatibility and shared goals. Agape blends Eros and Storge, manifesting as selfless, altruistic love that gives without expecting return.
The book runs approximately three hundred pages and includes illustrative diagrams that help readers visualize the relationships between love styles. Lee draws upon literature, personal testimonies, and clinical observations to demonstrate how these patterns manifest in real relationships. His work challenges simplistic notions of love, revealing instead a complex spectrum of affectionate expression.
Beyond its academic significance, Colours of Love reflects Lee’s broader commitment to understanding human dignity and connection. His later advocacy for LGBTQ rights and assisted suicide demonstrates how his scholarly work intertwined with profound respect for authentic human experience in all its variety.
