The Nature Of Friendship

Friendship can have a significant impact on a person’s life in a positive and negative way. There are many definitions and types of friendship. In Todd May’s article “Friendship in an Age of Economics,” Aristotle believed that there are three types of friendship which are, “…those of pleasure, those of usefulness, and true friendship” (May). Friendship can be described as a bond between two people that have a connection which includes loyalty, acceptance, trust, and love. John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, demonstrates a strong friendship between the main characters, George Milton and Lennie Small. Friendship can make people vulnerable in the way they trust, accept and love each other.

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

Friendships of virtue, unlike friendships of utility and pleasure, which can include a circle of friends, are strictly one on one relationships. These types of friendships can only occur between two people of the same virtues and both persons have to be virtuous. One can only become virtuous through wisdom and age. Therefore friendships of virtue are not found among young people. It is a relationship of mutual respect and love. The persons in this type of relationship are not in it because they gain something from the relationship, they are not friends because

In Book eight and nine of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses the variations of friendships that are present in human nature. He further goes into detail on the terms and grounds on forming these friendships. I will be analyzing the different types of friendship discussed in Aristotle’s Ethics and answer the difficulties and obstacles present in trying to achieve the perfect friendship, the friendship based on goodness.

Some people say that the secret of relationships is desire, but the real secret is friendship. Being friends does not only bring genuine happiness, it also brings the trust of each other. Friendship also brings better health as said in the article The Importance of Friendship written by M.D Saul Levine. In this article Saul states that “close friendships enhance moods and functioning as well as emotional and physical health.” Trust in a relationship is what separates a true friends and acquaintances, you talk to acquaintances but put full trust in what you say to true friends. Friendship not only brings trust, but also brings a companion that shares the same interests as you. Author and M.D Alex Lickerman states in the article What makes a true friend that “it’s probably uncommon for friends to interact on a regular basis if they don't have the same interests.” If people want to have a positive

Aristotle wrote on many subjects in his lifetime but one of the virtues that he examines more extensively is friendship. Aristotle believes that there are three different kinds of friendship: utility, pleasure, and virtuous friendships. He also argues that a real friendship should be highly valued because it is a complete virtue and he believes it to be greater than honor and justice. Aristotle suggests that human’s love of utility and pleasure is the only reason why the first two types of friendships exist. Aristotle also argues that humans only set up these types of relationships for personal gain. But when he speaks of the virtuous friendships, Aristotle states that it is one of the greatest attainments one can achieve.

This friendship is a bond "between people who are good and alike in virtue" (NE 1156b). They chose to be friends regardless of utility or pleasure because of their similarities. However, they must be at similar points in their quest for virtue, so that one is not a hindrance to the other. Aristotle explains that these kinds of friendships take time to create because it takes time and work to find the right people and then to forge a long-lasting bond. Therefore, a person cannot have a large number of true friends, because they simply do not have enough time. The true friendships, just like true happiness, are end within themselves, and are not used as a means to achieve some other end. These friendships also include love, as people enjoy being loved for its own sake, "and for this reason it would seem it is something better than being honoured and that friendship is chosen for its own sake" (NE, 1159a). Self-sufficient friendships lead to love which is an indication that both parties are closer to true happiness. They have a constant source of enjoyment for no reason other than they enjoy it. This relationship is distinguished from those between relatives, as a parent loves their child because that child is a part of the parent. Similarly, children are fond of parents simply because the parents are their originator. This love is natural and is not achieved, so it does not help a person live virtuously or achieve happiness. Thus, the goal of a friendship is to achieve a state in which both parties are permanently feeling enjoyment which satisfies them emotionally and intellectually, and brings them closer to

Secondly, Emerson’s “two elements” that comprises genuine friendship are “truth” and “tenderness” (Friendship pgs. 6 & 7). As a result of the lack of these two vital characteristics in today’s conformist society, the existence of sincere friendship is becoming

This story takes a wide variety of the many stereotypical friends that people meet throughout their lifetime, and gives multiple examples on why we need each of them. The author, Marion Winik, highlights the importance of each different friend with their unique characteristics, and what classifies them as that specific friend. For example, there are “Buddies” who help in many scenarios both big and small; “Relative Friends” are family members that someone finds common grounds with; “Work Friends” are people that get along solely for the fact that they work together; “Faraway Friends” is a person that someone grew up with, but they moved away; “Former Friend” are friends no longer associated with each other; “Friends You Love to Hate” are obnoxiously

Throughout history, friendship is revered and has often been romanticised. It is a relatively new area of sociological study. Research has transferred the focus from personal interactions and the psychology of friendships to the social structures that influence and underpin them. This shift in the sociological view of friendship reflects a growing interest in mixed methodologies when carrying out research. As social structures bind a friendship in terms of manners agreed between its participants, so their rituals and routines become particular to those people in their understanding of the relationship. Understanding the effect of class and gender

In life there are many changes that can cause a true friendship to go wary such as marriage, divorce, birth of children, new careers, and sickness. However, through each of those events the two must remember to keep the intimacy, the letting down of emotional barriers and the expression of innermost thoughts and feelings, “that which makes friendships thrive must be an enjoyable one” and to “always interact” (Karbo 3). Although psychologists continue to research the formation of friendships the great philosopher Aristotle knew exactly how friendships formed and how the lasted.

(MacEvoy) The realization of expectations start in the early stages of life. The first signs of expectations begin around the ages of 4-5 months. (MacEvoy) An example MacEvoy gives is when babies show expectancy when being carried and comforted by their caretakers when they are upset. While being a toddler, friendships were supported by affection. A way most children show affection is through sharing toys with others and doing activities together. During this stage in life we only see one perspective and that is ours. We feel like everyone is thinking the same and supposed to do the same things we do. Good friendship adaptations are found to be correlated with positive friendship expectations. (MacEvoy) Around the time, we are in elementary school, we tend to describe someone as our “friend” differently. At this age, a way to make a friend is to use the statement of “I’ll be your friend if…” We define someone who shared our snacks, saved a seat, or played on the playground with as a friend. By the time, we become teenagers, we are easily influenced by our friends. We start to see everyone’s point of view because not only do we want to be with friends with people, but we are also concerned with fitting in. Once we get past that stage, we start to build intimate friendships. We do things for each other with no second thoughts and expect to do everything together. We begin to confide in each and share things we wouldn’t share with anyone else. Once we become young

“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.

Sadhu Vaswani, a famous Indian educationalist and spiritual leader, once said “If my love is without sacrifice it is selfish. Such a love is barter, For there is an exchange of love and devotion in return for something. This is conditional love.” This quote spoke to me because I felt like it said wonders about the challenges of friendship. We exchange love and devotion for more love and devotion and this is part of what makes life worth living. Not only our relationships but also the friendships we form throughout our lives and how we handle those friendships shapes us in many ways. What we value in Friendship is different for every one of us but for me, I believe how much effort you put into a friendship should determine what makes your friendship great. Friendship is not perfection, in fact, the best friendships are those of imperfection because people are flawed and make mistakes. True friends are measured by the sacrifices they are willing to make for you. The people who sacrificed themselves for me were some of my oldest friends.

Friendship plays an incredibly important role in our lives. Friendships provide a sense of belonging and emotional stability (McCornack, pg. 357). Friendship, as defined by McCornack (2016), is a “voluntary interpersonal relationship characterized by intimacy and liking.” Friendship is a key part of life for everyone and no two friendships are alike. Like any interpersonal relationship, all friendships must overcome conflict. Conflicts are created from the use of destructive messages, serial arguments, differences in culture, physical violence, gender differences, and a different understanding in power currencies. With each conflict comes its own set of solutions and ways to change and adapt to ensure a healthy and happy