Philosophy- aristotle and friendship
Can Superior and Inferior People Become Complete Friends?
This paper examines whether inferior and superior people can be friends based on complete friendship according to Aristotle. First, I will clarify the definition of a complete friendship and what it entails. Secondly, I will explain the different types of equal and unequal friendships in accordance with complete friendship. Then I will show how different levels of affection follow the forms of inequality and how a sort of equality can arise owing to proper reciprocal affections. Thirdly, I will explain the different sorts of superiority and inferiority concerning friendships, where the parties are unequal and the ratio or proportion of affection must thus be equalized. These sorts will then be linked to the attributes of complete friendship. Finally, through Aristotle’s distinctions of equality, inequality, superiority, inferiority and complete friendship, I will conclude by discussing whether inferior and superior people can truly be complete friends.
Complete friendship is the most perfect and stable kind of friendship, and may be considered complete friendship in the truest sense. Aristotle’s view on complete friendship includes those who are good and alike in point of virtue.
For such people wish in similar fashion for the good things for each other insofar as they are good, and they are good in themselves. But those who wish for the good things for their friends, for their friends’ sake, are friends most of all, since they are disposed in this way in themselves and not incidentally. (1156b-8)
Their friendship will continue while they are good and since it is a common virtue it will be stable. Stable friendships call for longer lasting results and will not fall apart as long as the two parties remain good in themselves and toward one another.
Complete friendship includes the other kinds of friendship; since both parties, being good in themselves, are also good for each other, they
This paper examines whether inferior and superior people can be friends based on complete friendship according to Aristotle. First, I will clarify the definition of a complete friendship and what it entails. Secondly, I will explain the different types of equal and unequal friendships in accordance with complete friendship. Then I will show how different levels of affection follow the forms of inequality and how a sort of equality can arise owing to proper reciprocal affections. Thirdly, I will explain the different sorts of superiority and inferiority concerning friendships, where the parties are unequal and the ratio or proportion of affection must thus be equalized. These sorts will then be linked to the attributes of complete friendship. Finally, through Aristotle’s distinctions of equality, inequality, superiority, inferiority and complete friendship, I will conclude by discussing whether inferior and superior people can truly be complete friends.
Complete friendship is the most perfect and stable kind of friendship, and may be considered complete friendship in the truest sense. Aristotle’s view on complete friendship includes those who are good and alike in point of virtue.
For such people wish in similar fashion for the good things for each other insofar as they are good, and they are good in themselves. But those who wish for the good things for their friends, for their friends’ sake, are friends most of all, since they are disposed in this way in themselves and not incidentally. (1156b-8)
Their friendship will continue while they are good and since it is a common virtue it will be stable. Stable friendships call for longer lasting results and will not fall apart as long as the two parties remain good in themselves and toward one another.
Complete friendship includes the other kinds of friendship; since both parties, being good in themselves, are also good for each other, they
Bibliography: Robert C. Bartlett, and Susan D. Collins. Aristotle 's Nicomachean Ethics. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2011. Print.