Friendship In The Nicomachean Ethics | Aristotle Values Frie

Friendshipin Thenicomachean Ethics Aristotle Values Friendship So Hig

Friendship in the Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle is highly valued, with Aristotle asserting that friendship can even replace justice. He emphasizes that friendship is essential for a fulfilling life because no one would choose to live without friends. Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types: those of utility, pleasure, and virtue. Among these, virtuous friendship is considered the highest, representing a complete virtue that embodies honor and morality.

Aristotle’s analysis suggests that friendships of utility and pleasure focus on personal gain and enjoyment, respectively, and are less enduring than virtuous friendships. Friendships based on utility involve mutual helpfulness, such as neighbors watching out for each other's needs or students sharing notes, whereas friendships of pleasure are based on enjoyment, humor, and shared activities like shopping or dining out with friends who bring joy or amusement.

I argue that a truly complete friendship is one that encompasses all three types – utility, pleasure, and virtue – thereby representing the fullest expression of friendship. Such friendships are mutually beneficial, enjoyable, and rooted in deep moral respect. For example, a virtuous friendship involves admiration and shared values, like celebrating each other's successes or supporting each other's moral growth, regardless of utility or pleasure.

However, friendships of utility and pleasure tend to be transient; they last only as long as their benefit or enjoyment persists. In contrast, virtuous friendships are durable because they are based on genuine respect and shared moral values. Nevertheless, in real life, friendships often contain elements of all three types, and a balanced integration of these can lead to more meaningful relationships.

Furthermore, Aristotle’s idea prompts reflection on whether it is possible to have complete friendships without elements of pleasure and utility if the relationship is based solely on virtue. I believe that virtuous friends genuinely enjoy each other's company and support each other's interests, suggesting that a truly virtuous friendship inherently includes pleasure and utility. Without the mutual pleasure and usefulness, a friendship may lack the full richness that Aristotle advocates.

In contemporary terms, this perspective encourages individuals to seek friendships that nurture moral growth while also providing joy and mutual assistance. The integration of all three types allows friendships to be resilient and fulfilling in different contexts of life, supporting personal and moral development simultaneously.

Ultimately, Aristotle’s conception that the highest form of friendship is rooted in virtue aligns with ethical models emphasizing character and moral virtue. Yet, acknowledging the role of utility and pleasure enriches our understanding of human relationships, making them more realistic and attainable. A balanced friendship, inclusive of virtue, pleasure, and utility, offers the most complete and enduring form of human connection, promoting happiness, moral development, and mutual benefit.

References

• Ross, W. D. (2009). The Nicomachean Ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Annas, J. (1993). Human Nature and the Good Life in Greek Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
• Kraut, R. (2018). Friendship in Aristotle’s Ethics. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/
• Irwin, T. (1999). Aristotle's First Principles. Oxford University Press.
• Reeve, C. D. C. (1992). Practices of Reason: Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Hackett Publishing Company.
• Hursthouse, R. (1999). On Virtue Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Taylor, C. (1990). Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity. Harvard University Press.
• Annas, J. (2000). The Morality of Happiness. Oxford University Press.
• O'Neill, O. (1989). Conversations on Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Ackrill, J. L. (1981). Aristotle’s Ethics. Oxford University Press.