Aristotle 's Views On Life

Friendship, according to Aristotle there are 3 definitions of friendship. Friendship of Utility, “thus friends whose affection is based on utility do not love each other in themselves, but in so far as some benefit accrues to them from each other.” Friendship of Pleasure, “And similarly with those whose friendship is based on pleasure: for instance, we enjoy the society of witty people not because of what they are in themselves, but because they are agreeable to us.” Friendship of the Good. “The perfect form of friendship is that between the good, and those who resemble each other in virtue. For these friends wish each alike the other’s good in respect of their goodness, and they are good in themselves; but it is those who wish the good of their friends for their friends’ sake who are friends in the fullest sense, since they love each other for themselves and not accidentally. Hence the

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.

Both Plato and Aristotle were prominent philosophers during their time and even today remain some of the most well-known philosophers ever. Aristotle was a student of Plato’s and Plato’s influence was noticeable throughout Aristotle’s work. Though Aristotle believed and would later teach a lot of Platonic philosophy, that did not mean that he agreed with everything that Plato taught. One thing that Aristotle would critique about Plato’s teaching was his idea of what he called “Forms” and their role in the world. Although both Aristotle and Plato believed that something 's "form" helped classify what it is, I found Aristotle’s understanding of form to be more convincing because he believed that Forms consisted within the one world in which we all already live as opposed to Plato who thought that the world of Forms was separate from the world of everything else. Both men make very compelling points to back up their beliefs, but I just felt Aristotle’s theory was more believable.

Aristotle on Friendship We are social creatures. We surround ourselves with other human beings, our friends. It is in our nature. We are constantly trying to broaden the circumference of our circle of friends. Aristotle understood the importance of friendship, books VIII and IX of the Nicomachean Ethics deal solely with this topic. A modern day definition of a friend can be defined as “one joined to another in intimacy and mutual benevolence independently of sexual or family love”. (Oxford English Dictionary). Aristotle’s view on friendship is much broader than this. His arguments are certainly not flawless. In this essay I will outline what Aristotle said about friendship in the Nichomachaen Ethics and highlight possible

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.

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

“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 modern world.

Happiness is often thought to be an emotional state that results from anything a person does or observes that they approve of or consider positive or pleasant. In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that true human happiness is much more than a temporary state of wellbeing, as humans are not

According to Aristotle, “friendship is necessary for life”, but what fosters a complete friendship? Aristotle believed that a friendship needs to be “reciprocated goodwill”, and individuals seek the good of the other without any coercion or wrong intention (Book VIII, 1155a, 5-6, 1155b 34). If a level of confidence and love has yet to be established, the friendship can at first appear as a friendship of utility to others. The relationship requires acts of selflessness and mutual partnership in order to move past the surface level connection toward an intimate bond with the other. The outward appearance of utility is overcome by the undeniable bond formed between two individuals who have matured in similar virtue in accord with proper attitude towards the other.

Aristotle begins book VIII by setting some ground work on friendship. Aristotle explains that friendship is something that is “ indispensable for life.” Not one person chooses to not have friends, therefore, it something that involves everyone. He later goes in depth on the fact that there are three categories

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.

When it comes to friendship Aristotle believes without friendship where would not be a life that one would want to live. He also believes that it is a virtue without friendship even a person who is wealthy would not be able to live life. The three concepts that Aristotle focus on are complete friendship, Friendship based on pleasure and friendship based on utility. When it comes to pleasure two people have to come together with common interest of an activity that they both enjoy. For example, one would find more happiness riding a bike with someone then riding a bike alone. A friendship based on utility is a friendship one can benefit out of the relationship. One can benefit from learning a skill while the other is benefiting from gaining experience.

A few friends is what Aristotle says to a healthy amount, for man to have is, a few. This may seem relative, but for every man a few can mean anything from two to ten. “Obviously it is not possible for a person to associate with a vast multitude and

One of the philosophers I will choose to analyze will be Aristotle. Aristotle believes that people should always participate in the city-state, and only by being the citizen can a person lead and pursue a life of good quality because he believed that that was the main focus and reason of human life. Although he was a great philosopher, one of the ideas that I chose to discuss was that he believed slaves were necessary to the functionality of a good and working society, and that man is only fully rational if he participates in the city. This would mean that even as a slave, you should be the best slave you could be because you are helping the city thrive however you are in the lowest level. Aristotle believes that men should be in power,

There are plenty of theories on friends and their relationships in history, even during the years of ancient Greece. Based on my research, mix with some of my own views; I have come to realize my own definition of a friend. A friend to me is simply someone who is there to support me, spend time with me, be there for me when I am in need, being someone who I can trust with deep secrets, and make memories with enjoying their presence. At the same time, a friend to me is someone that will never turn their back on me, never attempt to hurt me, never attempt to take advantage of me, and never choose to