3 Kinds Of Friendship Of Aristotle

3 kinds of friendship of Aristotle

The subject of friendship always had a special place in Aristotle's works. For him, she was a valuable asset and an incentive for a happy life. He found that we can find three types of friendship in life. Three types of bonds, only one of which is capable of becoming an extraordinary connection. This is neither based on pure interest nor does it happen accidentally.

As we all know, Aristotle was a universal scholar. His knowledge, or rather his great curiosity, allowed him to gain considerable knowledge in such diverse areas as logic, science and philosophy. If we read works such as Nicomachean Ethics, we recognize his vision of man. He describes us as social animals, for whom friendship undoubtedly represents the most satisfying form of living together.

Maybe in his time he had no way to unlock the secrets of the brain. However, modern science has shown us that this organ needs social interaction for its development. It also serves mental health. We are no doubt social animals, creatures that need strong relationships with our fellow human beings.
The three types of friendship that characterize man
Often we see in classical philosophers a venerable but distant source of wisdom. It is these voices of the past that are sometimes cited for informative purposes. However, many of these ancient wisdom seem to have little to do with our current needs and characteristics. They are far from our reality. However, it is advisable to remember them again because we live in a society that is characterized by existential anxiety. This enables us to discover authentic texts for personal growth.

Something that Aristotle tells us in this work is that there are three types of friendship. All of us have already made some acquaintance with them.

The interested friendship

It is well known that humans mutually exploit each other. Some do it more often, others less often. Some, in turn, understand a friendship in the hope of benefiting from it.

We all hope that our friendships are mutual, and we want support, trust, shared leisure activities, etc. However, there are those who use flattery and manipulation to gain an advantage.

Friendship based only on pleasure

This kind of friendship is well known. They are especially common in puberty. Later, as we become more selective and cautious, using appropriate filters, it is common to regard this type of friendship with suspicion.

How are the two friendships mentioned different from each other? The interested friendship is based on the fact that at least one party would like to draw a personal advantage from it. Be it in the form of favors, contacts with other people or recognition. But if pleasure is the basis of a friendship, then the priority is to have fun. We find them in those persons who are guided by an empty and irrelevant hedonism. They want to spend time with others in order to experience relaxed moments and to have fun. However, as soon as the other person needs sincere support or a problem occurs, the "wrong friend" dissolves.

"For Aristotle, friendship is about wanting the best for his friend and trying to achieve it. This quest also represents an immense enrichment for him.

The perfect friendship

Among the three types of friendship defined by Aristotle, there is the ideal case, which is extraordinary but by no means impossible. It is this friendship that exists not only because it is useful or pleasing to us, but because one feels sincere appreciation for the other. There is a kind of altruism in this connection where you do not just seek personal gain. Instead, you enjoy sharing moments, being able to share your everyday life and always having someone with you to lean on.