What role does friendship have in human flourishing according to Aristotle?

What role does friendship have in human flourishing according to Aristotle? Explain and examine the ethical role of friendship in Nicomachean Ethics.

Answer & Explanation

Solved by verified expert

According to Aristotle, friendship plays a crucial role in human flourishing. He believed that human beings are social animals and that we cannot live a fully satisfying life in isolation. For Aristotle, friendship was a fundamental component of a good life, and he saw it as essential for the cultivation of virtue.

Aristotle distinguished between three types of friendships: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure, and friendships of the good. Friendships of utility are based on mutual benefit, such as those betw

Looking for a similar assignment?

Let Us write for you! We offer custom paper writing services

Place your order

Step-by-step explanation

een business partners. Friendships of pleasure are based on enjoyment, such as those between drinking buddies. However, according to Aristotle, these types of friendships are not true friendships because they are not based on a genuine concern for the other person’s well-being.

The highest form of friendship, according to Aristotle, is the friendship of the good. This type of friendship is based on a shared commitment to the virtues and the common good. It is characterized by mutual respect, trust, and a deep appreciation for each other’s character. In this type of friendship, both friends seek to help each other grow in virtue, and they find joy in each other’s accomplishments.

Aristotle believed that true friends are rare and that they are essential for a fulfilling life. He thought that friendship was a necessary condition for achieving eudaimonia, which is often translated as “happiness” or “flourishing.” According to Aristotle, a person who lacks friends cannot be happy because they are missing an essential component of human life.

Download PDF