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Writer's pictureJuliana Eljach

Friendship According to Aristotle

Updated: Feb 13

Aristotle, the most prominent student of Plato's Academy, is perhaps the philosopher whose ideas have had the most influence in the history of Western thought (Hara, 2017). As is well known, Aristotle was a true polymath, as his knowledge and curiosity allowed him to excel in diverse areas such as logic, science, and philosophy (Sabater, 2018). By exploring works like "Nicomachean Ethics," his description of humans as highly social creatures stands out, emphasizing that friendship is the most satisfying form of coexistence. Although Aristotle lacked access to the secrets of the brain in his time, modern science has revealed the importance of social interaction for brain development, survival, and health (Sabater, 2018).



Types of Friendship

"Nicomachean Ethics" offers an enlightening insight into happiness and the role of social relationships in daily life (Sabater, 2018). In this work, Aristotle emphasizes the significance of friendship as a valuable good and a driver of a happy life (Sabater, 2018). He considers friendships to be the noblest and freest, based on sincere and voluntary devotion to others, bringing out the best in people (Trujillo, 2018). Aristotle identifies three types of friendships in life, where only one can evolve into a higher form of relationship, free from self-interest and chance (Sabater, 2018). According to Flores (2019), these types are further divided into two, with the first two being accidental and the third more intentional.

Interested Friendship

It is well known that people instrumentalize each other (Sabater, 2018). Some do it more frequently, others do not understand friendship, and a few see it as a false relationship with the hope of gaining benefits. Although everyone expects something in return, such as support, trust, or sharing good times, some use flattery and manipulation to gain higher benefits, such as social position or recognition (Sabater, 2018). Aristotle does not condemn these interested friendships as evil, selfish, or false, but sees them as the lowest level of any friendship type, as they have a purpose but do not offer the greatest joy or meaning (McCorry, 2019). Therefore, they are not permanent and often disappear when the benefits run out (Flores, 2019). Vázquez (2017) mentions that an example would be university colleagues who help each other with tasks, but the bond can easily break after graduation.

Pleasure - Based Friendship

Friendship based on pleasure is one of the three types of friendship that everyone is familiar with (Sabater, 2018). This type of friendship is considered common during adolescence and early youth, developing between people who share activities such as sports, outings, parties, and the consumption of drinks, among others (Trujillo, 2018). In short, the connection between people focuses primarily on the desire to live and have fun. Therefore, according to Trujillo (2018), this type of friendship tends to be fleeting unless the involved individuals grow in parallel.

Although both accidental friendships, such as interested and pleasure-based, are limited and do not fully encapsulate the meaning of the word "friend," which shares roots with love, they differ in their motivations (Hara, 2017). Interested friendship is characterized by the pursuit of tangible benefits, such as favors, access to connections, or social recognition (Sabater, 2018). On the other hand, in pleasure-based friendship, the goal is simply to enjoy. In other words, these people lean towards empty and superficial hedonism, seeking to share moments of relaxation, cheerful complicity, and pleasant well-being. Therefore, according to Sabater (2018), the strength of this friendship dissolves quickly if the other person needs genuine support in difficult times.

The Perfect Friendship

According to Aristotle, perfect friendship is the most robust and exceptional, yet still possible (Sabater, 2018). It goes beyond utility or pleasure, involving a sincere appreciation for the other as they are. It is a friendship grounded in goodness, which Aristotle almost compares to a romantic relationship. Perfect friends, those of the heart, are rare but essential in building deep intimacy, where trust is paramount, and experiences, memories, and unbreakable promises are cherished despite time and distance (Sabater, 2018). Therefore, according to Flores (2019), this friendship lacks a specific reason, as its value exists for its own sake, without further motivations.



References

  1. Flores, M. (2019). Los tres tipos de amistad que existen de acuerdo con Aristóteles. De10. Recuperado 1 July 2021, a partir de https://de10.com.mx/vivir-bien/los-tres-tipos-de-amistad-que-existen-de-acuerdo-con-aristoteles

  2. Hara, L. (2017). Según Aristóteles, entre los 3 tipos de amistad que existen, este es el mejor. PIJAMASURF.COM. Recuperado 1 July 2021, a partir de https://pijamasurf.com/2017/12/segun_aristoteles_entre_los_3_tipos_de_amistad_que_existen_esta_es_la_mejor/

  3. McCorry, C. (2019). ¿Cuántas clases de amigos tienes? Según Aristóteles, son 3. Aleteia.org | Español - valores con alma para vivir feliz. Recuperado 1 July 2021, a partir de https://es.aleteia.org/2019/03/25/cuantas-clases-de-amigos-tienes-segun-aristoteles-son-3/

  4. Sabater, V. (2018). 3 tipos de amistad según Aristóteles. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 1 July 2021, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/3-tipos-de-amistad-segun-aristoteles/

  5. Trujillo, Á. (2018). Estos son los 3 tipos de amistad que definió Aristóteles, ¿los reconoces?. muhimu. Recuperado 1 July 2021, a partir de https://muhimu.es/comunidad/tipos-amistad-aristoteles/

  6. Vázquez, C. (2017). 3 tipos de amistad según Aristóteles. Medium. Recuperado 1 July 2021, a partir de https://medium.com/@cristhiandvzquez/3-tipos-de-amistad-según-aristóteles-36ab0d1c3bd8

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