On Aristotle's Friendship and Social Network

Within book 8 and 9 of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he concludes that an excellent friendship is the most choice-worthy good an individual can externally attain (Aristotle 149, 1170a, section 7). However, in chapter 3 of book 8, Aristotle asserts the finest friendships are enduring insofar the individuals are good, and the virtues remain similar. However, his proposal about the similarities of virtues doesn't seem entirely correct since people gradually change over time, but the relationship can continue to be good and the individuals remain close friends. Aristotle would assert that if the virtuous character of the friend were to change, the friendship could potentially dissolve; unless the agent can return their friend to their original state of similarity. This is because his assertion about an enduring friendship requires that the individuals are both good and similar in virtuous behaviour. Nevertheless, this essay aims to argue that friendships are enduring through the means of gaining/building a state of mutual confidence in our friend, rather individuals being similar in virtue.

In his time, Aristotle wrote many works on different topics. In arguably one of his most popular works, Nicomachean Ethics, specifically in Book 8, he explores the virtue of friendship. He believes that there are three branches of friendship: that of utility (where two parties derive some benefit from each other), of pleasure (where two parties come together for the sake of pleasure received) and that of the good (where two parties of similar good virtues come together, admire one another for it and help each other strive for more goodness). The last of these types is of the highest form, with Aristotle describing it to be ‘perfect’. It is also naturally permanent unlike the other two, because these friends are not concerned about any other external factor outside of the other’s personality and virtues.

It has been ages of promoting social network services. With flourishing online interactions and personal site to express one’s opinion, they have also brought controversy over many areas. It is the result of not just sharing one’s moral, but forcing them and criticizing once they have different morals from them. However, looking at good sides, people have learned to respect other’s principle. They also have formed their own opinion.

“No one would choose a friendless existence on condition of having all the other things in the world (Aristotle).” Humans are social beings, social beyond any other creature in the world. Human interaction is a must for survival. It is in our nature. Aristotle understood this, he even had his own analysis of friendship. In the Nicomachean Ethics written by Aristotle, books VIII and IX are based off of friendship. Today, the definition of a friend is, “A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations (Oxford Dictionary).” To Aristotle, friendship is much more than this. In this research paper, I will evaluate whether or not Aristotle’s analysis of friendship is applicable to the

According to Aristotle, one can experience three different types of friendship. The first type is a friend who is used for utilitarian purposes. Aristotle, however, quickly dismisses this type. As an example, Aristotle explains that one could never be friends with wine; while wine is satisfying to the person drinking the wine, no person ever wishes wine good fortune (Aristotle, 32). In order for a relationship between two people to be considered a friendship, one must want good things for the person who they consider their friend and vice versa (Aristotle, 32). Aristotle continues to describe another type of friendship, which is friendship for pleasure. According to Aristotle, young adults are most likely to pursue pleasure-related friendships, because the young are more likely to live to please their emotions; they develop friendships and erotic relationships quickly (Aristotle, 33). Aristotle notes that since young people make decisions based on their emotions, they are quick to change passions, friendships, and lovers (Aristotle, 33). Although both parties receive equal pleasure in this type of friendship, Aristotle says that it is not a complete type of friendship because it is short-lasting (Aristotle, 33). Aristotle considers only one type of friendship to be complete, and that is friendship that is devoted to the other person’s virtue. This type of friendship, Aristotle says, is a friendship that is developed slowly and infrequently; this is the only type of

In the book Aristotle and the Philosophy of Friendship, (based off the Nicomachean Ethics) the author, Pangle, informed the audience that Aristotle believe in three different types of friendships based off three different types of motives: Friendships of Utility, Friendships of Pleasure, and Perfect Friendship. He identifies these types of friendships as different types of sources of affection that are lovable as the good, the pleasant, and the useful. Before analyzing Aristotle three types of friendships we must first understand what he meant by friendship. During Aristotle’s rein friendship was commonly known as the love one person had for another. Philia, brotherly love, was essential

Aristotle is a famous Greek philosopher who wrote many books throughout his lifetime unfortunately, most where lost. The works that did survive were mostly lecture notes or ideas that were not suppose to be published, which is why they can be hard to follow. Aristotle was an empirical scientist who believed that true wisdom comes from examining an object rather than trying to look beyond it. In Aristotle’s book Nicomachean Ethics book VII and IX he discusses friendship. Stating why we need friendship, the three objects of love, the three kinds of friendship, friendship and justice, and so on.

There are three types of friendship, according to Aristotle. The first type of friendship based on utility. In this type of friendship, both individuals get some sort of benefit from their friend. The second type of friendship is based on pleasure. Here, both individuals are drawn to the other’s personality, appearance, and/or other qualities. The third and final type of friendship is based on goodness, in which the individuals admire their friend’s goodness and in which they help one another in their pursuit for happiness. The first two friendships are mostly accidental, due to the friends being more motivated by their own pleasure and utility and not by other things essential to their friend. Both kinds are short-lived because one

In The Norton Book of Friendship, the idea of friendship is defined and explained by many great philosophers. Among these, Aristotle’s piece from Nicomachean Ethics. In this short excerpt, Aristotle defines and classifies friendship into three main categories: usefulness, pleasure, and virtue. He claims that in any friendship, one or more of these three motives have to be present. He also says that in order for a friendship to be successful, it must be reciprocal.

There are many views that Aristotle holds, one of which is on the subject of friendship. Aristotle views friendship as one of the many virtues of life, and has very interesting views on the topic. He gives three different types of friendship, and objects that are worthy of affection: Utility, Pleasure, and Good. Each of these types is differently put on the spectrum. Along with these three types of friendship, Aristotle also gives conditions to what friendship is.

The philosopher, Aristotle quoted friendship has “A single soul dwelling in two bodies.” Aristotle takes the concept of friendship to a major level. His concept of friendship is assertive and comprehensive. Subsequently, Aristotle divided each concept into three sections or in other words three types of friendship. He first distinguishes and contrasts the three types of friendships. More importantly Aristotle takes into consideration that friendship is a necessity to live, however, it is not only necessary, but also fine. He also characterizes friendship as a virtue and as just. The three different types of friendship correspond to the three objects of love, which are, things that are useful (advantage friendship), things that are pleasant (pleasure friendship), and finally the third, things that are good (good friendship).

I agree with Aristotle's descriptions of friendship. The three types of friendship that he described were utility, pleasure, and goodness. The first type, utility, is when both people benefit from each other, and that usually happens during trade, or business deals, or for a long-term benefit. I agree with this type of friendship as my friends have helped me in situations before. The second type of friendship that Aristotle described was pleasure, where both people are drawn to other’s good looks, wits, or some other type of pleasant qualities that they offer. It’s usually seen in lover’s bond, where young people are influenced greatly by passion and love. The last type of friendship is goodness, where both people admire

Once a researcher has developed a research question they are seeking to answer, they must consider what methodologies and methods they will employ in the research; what theoretical perspective lies behind the methodology; and

There is a particular way in which all research works are carried out. It starts with an issue. It is usually in the form of having little knowledge about the particular subject, knowledge gap or it is some kind of a puzzle. The next step once the identification of the problem is made, is to go through all existing relevant studies in an organized manner to identify potential visions or gaps. The third step is to narrow down the problem to make the hypothesis. When the research is at its end, it should either approve or dismiss the hypothesis. After the third step, the researchers must design the type of research they want to do. Then they must choose a method to successfully conduct the research.

Within each of our existences, we as social creatures desire friendship/social interaction which comforts us on the confusing journey we call life. I believe that through my interpretation of Aristotle’s philosophy, that we all have friends when seeing the world through Aristotle’s philosophy. Aristotle describes friendship as being made up of mutual feelings of good intentions between two individuals. According to him, there are 3 different types of friendships that make up the base of social interactions.