Eros illegitimately claims the highest place (but does bear a likeness to that which is truly highest):
It is in the grandeur of Eros that the seeds of danger are concealed. He has spoken like a god. His total commitment, his reckless disregard of happiness, his transcendence of self-regard, sound like a message from the eternal world.
And yet it cannot, just as it stands, be the voice of God Himself. For Eros, speaking with that very grandeur and displaying that very transcendence of self, may urge to evil as well as to good. … The love which leads to cruel and perjured unions, even to suicide-pacts and murder, is not likely to be wandering lust or idle sentiment. It may well be Eros in all his splendour; heart breakingly sincere; ready for every sacrifice except renunciation. …
We must not give unconditional obedience to the voice of Eros when he speaks most like a god. Neither must we ignore or attempt to deny the god-like quality. This love is really and truly like Love Himself. … His [Eros’] total commitment is a paradigm or example, built into our natures, of the love we ought to exercise towards God and Man. … It is as if Christ said to us through Eros, “Thus—just like this—with this prodigality—not counting the cost—you are to love me and the least of my brethren.” … Eros, of himself, will never be enough—will indeed survive only in so far as he is continually chastened and corroborated by higher principles.
~C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves
