Heartless love is essentially a contradiction; because a heartless person doesn't love, heartless love becomes an oxymoron.
Understanding the Concept
A heartless individual is generally understood to be:
- Cruel
- Unfeeling
- Lacking empathy
- Lacking compassion
Therefore, the concept of "heartless love" poses a paradox. If someone is truly heartless, they are incapable of genuine love. The seeming love could be manipulation, or something else besides love.
Heartless Love as an Oxymoron
According to research, "[A] heartless lover doesn't love. Heartless love is an oxymoron." This definition suggests that true love requires qualities that are diametrically opposed to heartlessness, such as:
- Empathy
- Kindness
- Compassion
- Genuine care for the well-being of the other person
Without these qualities, what may be perceived as "love" is merely a facade, driven by selfish motivations or other factors unrelated to authentic affection.