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1. harimau777 · 1789743862 · focus · HN ↗

   Not exactly the same but something that I think people here might find interesting philosophically regardless of their religious views:

   There's an idea in interpersonal communication that when a couple are in a relationship, the relationship itself comes to act as a "third person". So for example, the couple might decide "Even though neither of us wants to do this, we need to for the good of our relationship" as though the relationship itself had needs and desires.

   I've heard theologans make a similar argument about the Holy Spirit. That the relationship between the Father and Jesus is so strong that their "third person" is literally a person.

   Again not trying to proselytize, just an idea that I think people might find intellectually interesting.

   1. f30e3dfed1c9 · 1789748060 · focus · HN ↗

      "the couple might decide 'Even though neither of us wants to do this, we need to for the good of our relationship' as though the relationship itself had needs and desires."

      The "as though" here doesn't follow or add anything useful. The couple could easily decide "neither of us wants to do it, but we need to get oil changes for both cars." That doesn't suggest the cars themselves have "needs and desires" in the sense that people do.

      I think considering "the relationship... as 'third person'" is pseudo-mystical nonsense.

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