Aristotle's View on Friendship Essay Example

When it comes to friendship, most everyone has something to say. No matter where you look, the theme of friendship is always present, whether it be through quotes, such as one written by Saint Jerome that states, "The friendship that can cease has never been real" or through songs, such as You’ve Got a Friend in Me from the film Toy Story. Aristotle felt that friendship was so important that he devoted an entire section of the Nicomachean Ethics to it. Aristotle’s beliefs of friendship are, for the most part, in accordance with mine and also pretty well expressed through Saint Jerome’s quote. Happiness as a motive for friendship, the three levels of friendship, and salvaging friendships at all costs are a few philosophies that Aristotle holds.
Aristotle is adamant on the idea that friendship is absolutely necessary to our lives and that we cannot be truly happy without it. No matter how many material objects a person has, none of them will bring the sense of virtue, good and happiness that friendship does. Even when it comes to the idea of government and the bond of the people within a state, friendship seems to be the base, the glue that holds everything and everyone together. While it is often said that opposites attract, Aristotle strongly believes in a differing point of view that birds of a feather flock together. He strongly feels, as do I, that people with similarities and a common ground are able to get along better and connect better with one of their kind, rather than a complete opposite.
Aristotle found that several people believed that there is only one kind of friendship. As a philosopher, though, he went on to explain that there is a possibility to have three different kinds of friendship, or three levels of friendship. It is necessary for there to be some sort of bond or connection in order for a friendship to develop, especially to a level three virtuous friendship. However, this idea is even true in level one and two, utility and