(c) Aristotle on Friendship
Aristotle believed that friendship could come in several forms – those based on utility (one person being of use to another), pleasure (one person bringing temporary happiness to another – e.g. the “class clown,” always called on to raise a laugh), or goodness. Friendships based on goodness are the purest; in a sense, friendship based on what is good is thought by Aristotle to be the only true form of friendship (the other two are debased yet common forms). True friendship is a form a justice and is based on either equality or, at least, balanced proportion.
The good man, says Aristotle, will form friendships for no other reason that what is good. Friendships between truly good men, then, can never falter, for if one is concerned with only what is good in an absolute sense, then what is good for your friend is also good for you. This is truly equal friendship.
Unequal yet still virtuous friendships are of the sort that exist between parents and their children. For Aristotle, parents are, by definition, their children’s superiors, and it is their duty to protect but also rule their children. It is not the duty of the parent – who is superior to the child – to pay the child respect, gratitude, and honour. But this is very much the duty of the child to her or his parents. An unequal friendship of this sort, then, can be just, so long as the superior party gives guidance, but receives honour in return. Aristotle also claims that in such relationships the superior party should receive more than he or she gives!
Once again, then, in Aristotle, friendship is about equality, justice and balance.
Works Cited
Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics. Books VIII & IX. Full text available: http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html. Accessed 29/09/16.
The good man, says Aristotle, will form friendships for no other reason that what is good. Friendships between truly good men, then, can never falter, for if one is concerned with only what is good in an absolute sense, then what is good for your friend is also good for you. This is truly equal friendship.
Unequal yet still virtuous friendships are of the sort that exist between parents and their children. For Aristotle, parents are, by definition, their children’s superiors, and it is their duty to protect but also rule their children. It is not the duty of the parent – who is superior to the child – to pay the child respect, gratitude, and honour. But this is very much the duty of the child to her or his parents. An unequal friendship of this sort, then, can be just, so long as the superior party gives guidance, but receives honour in return. Aristotle also claims that in such relationships the superior party should receive more than he or she gives!
Once again, then, in Aristotle, friendship is about equality, justice and balance.
Works Cited
Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics. Books VIII & IX. Full text available: http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html. Accessed 29/09/16.