Aristotle’s Views on Friendship

Aristotle believed 3 types of human friendship existed between persons Aristotle believed 3 types of human friendship existed between persons. He found a correlation (link) between the richness of our friendships and how “happy” we are. Using his theory, if a person had no friends (isolation), their happiness and purpose in life would be severely impaired.

1. Utility The goal of the relationship is based on its use to you. What do you personally stand to gain from taking part in the relationship? Someone who stays friends with you simply because of the contacts you have that could benefit them personally.

2. Pleasure Based on the idea that you stay friends with someone because you receive a sense of enjoyment from one or more of their qualities (i.e. witty or beautiful). Someone who dates a person because of their popularity status.

3. Complete Friendship Friendship is based on wanting the good for your friend first and foremost. Rather than relating for personal benefit one relates for the good of the other. This is based on the general liking of the person. Unlike the others, change does not affect the relationship.

Example Patches is a cat. Every time her owners are in the kitchen, she nuzzles their legs and rubs against them. When they head downstairs to where her food dishes are kept, she darts underneath their legs, runs downstairs and meows beside her dishes, hoping for food. Identify what type of friendship is found in this story? Answer: Utility

Your Turn Bunter and Smudger are teenagers who experiment with drinking and take it too far. Smudger becomes very sick….to the point that Bunter is worried about his health. After calling 9-1-1, Bunter chooses to call Smudger’s parents for help. Identify what type of friendship is found in this story? Answer: Complete Friendship

Write Your Own Story This time you get to write the story. Identify the type of friendship found in your story? Be prepared to share!

Textbook Page 6 Time Together That Counts Read the story and answer the reflection questions on page 8