Aristotle And Friendship

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Complete Friendships and “Decent” Individuals
In the Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that there are three distinct types of friendship: utility, pleasure, and complete. Both utility and pleasure friendships are fueled by self-gain defined by usefulness or pleasantness. These friendships are coincidental and easily dissolve due to lack of foundation among many other factors. Aristotle believes the ultimate friendship between two individuals is complete friendship. In this enduring relationship, both parties wish the same good on the other as one would wish upon oneself. Aristotle specifies that this friendship is only viable between two people of similar, high virtuous standards. Vicious persons would not partake in this, as they would
Within Aristotle’s framework, these friendships are relatively superficial and do not require a significant amount of time, effort, or concern. However, a complete friendship must still have some virtue present due to its intrinsic meaning. Truly vicious people only care for themselves and place little to no importance on anyone else. Regardless of the other party, even if one is of the utmost virtue, vicious people are steadfast in this mindset. This would manifest itself quickly in the friendship. Therefore, at least some virtue must be present within both individuals to create a truly meaningful friendship beyond self-benefit. Without any virtue, actions of compassion or selflessness would never occur, diminishing the idea of complete friendship and mutual
As Aristotle also suggests, anyone who is not completely virtuous will find no enjoyment or pleasure in engaging in a complete friendship-the individual would be too egocentric. Problems in this dynamic would quickly bubble to the surface, and the friendship will have little hope of enduring. This is commonly why friendships of pleasure and utility tend to quickly dissolve; they lack a deeper moral respect that only complete friendships possess. Further, this type of friendship will have a strong imbalance due to lack of reciprocity and symmetry. If either person is more virtuous than the other, this would have the strong possibility of translating into feelings of neglect and unworthiness. Aristotle asserts that complete friends must possess the same virtue for these

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