This blog post explores the meaning of ‘friendship’ as described by Aristotle and why it is a core element of human happiness.
In his work ‘Nicomachean Ethics’, Aristotle emphasizes ‘friendship (philia)’ as an essential element of human life. He defined friendship as a deep relationship grounded in mutual goodwill and genuine understanding, transcending mere closeness or affection. According to Aristotle, friendship plays a central role in enabling humans to lead happy and fulfilling lives. This is because humans, as social animals, find meaning in their existence and pursue true happiness through relationships with others. Therefore, he viewed friendship not merely as an option, but as an essential virtue that completes our humanity.
For friendship to exist, interaction is essential, going beyond mere human relationships. Aristotle argued that the object of friendship cannot be an inanimate object. This is because inanimate objects lack emotions or will, and thus cannot form goodwill or friendship. Moreover, if the other party does not reciprocate one’s goodwill, the relationship is merely one-sided. Such a one-sided relationship, Aristotle states, is not true friendship but merely a simple favor; genuine friendship can only endure if it is mutual.
Friendship can be divided into three types based on its form. First is friendship for gain, second is friendship for pleasure, and third is friendship for virtue. Friendship for gain is commonly seen in business or political relationships. In such relationships, the purpose is to obtain something from the other person, so the focus is on the benefits that can be gained rather than the other person’s essence. Similarly, friendship for pleasure prioritizes the enjoyment felt in the other’s company over their intrinsic worth. It’s like liking a humorous friend not for their character, but simply because being with them is fun. Aristotle warns that such friendships for gain or pleasure are fleeting and can easily vanish when circumstances change.
However, true friendship, or perfect friendship, can only exist between good people. Aristotle also calls this “friendship based on virtue,” which arises from a relationship where each genuinely desires the other’s good. They do not merely pursue benefit or pleasure; they respect each other’s character and virtues and seek to sustain the friendship for its own sake. Such friendship can endure unchanged over time, possible only when both parties share goodwill and moral values.
Furthermore, Aristotle argues that perfect friendship can exist even in unequal relationships. Friendship can be established in the relationship between father and son, teacher and student, and even between a superior group and an inferior one. These relationships are formed on the basis of mutual respect and consideration, which deepens the essence of friendship. For example, in a relationship where a father loves his son and the son respects his father, true friendship can form despite their differing positions.
Finally, Aristotle emphasizes that even self-sufficient individuals require friendship. While self-sufficient people possess the ability to satisfy themselves without external aid, Aristotle stresses that humans are social animals. He argues that deeper happiness is experienced within social relationships rather than through solitary contentment. This is because humans inherently desire connection with others, and it is through these connections that they can enrich their own existence. Ultimately, for Aristotle, friendship is an indispensable virtue in human life, and it is through this virtue that humans can attain true happiness.
