Friendship as a Fundamental Factor of the Ethical Life Portrayed by Aristotle - Essay Example

Ethics and Society Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics is a philosophical text that inquires into the nature of the good life that is bound to be enjoyed by human beings. Aristotle posits that there exists some ultimate good towards which, all human actions in the final analysis, ultimately aim. The most important characteristics that portray the ultimate good are that it is self-sufficient, complete and continuous. This particular good towards which all human actions explicitly or implicitly aim, is termed as happiness (eudaimonia). Aristotle has also expounded this to mean blessedness or living well, of which this is a continuous type of activity. In order for one to determine the true nature of human happiness, it is essential to take note of the function of human beings. This is so because an individual’s happiness consists of the fulfillment of the natural function, in the direction towards which his being is focused. The natural function in question should be something that is essential and unique to human beings. The rational part of the soul is as important as the spirited parts. The rational part is what is used to determine an individual’s identity. This translates to mean that the happiness of human beings is depicted in the activity of the soul, whether the spirited part or the rational part. This kind of activity is normally expressed through ethical virtues or rather, it is expressed when one focuses his actions according to reason. Aristotle, in his book says that friendship is defined by the principles of virtue and goodness. When people recognize the virtues in each other, they may become true friends. The nature of friendship is determined by the motive of individuals to become friends in the first place. Real friendship is accompanied by great understanding of each other, and this in turn is a great source of happiness. Every human being loves to feel cared for by another person. Another reason to believe that friendship based on good is indeed a necessary part of happiness is that it is accompanied by mutual respect and trust, as well as support and selfless cooperation with each other. All these things are part of what makes human beings happy. Without such virtues found in true friendship, then human beings would have empty souls. Aristotle candidly states that friendship based on good cannot be separated from happiness, that is, having friends is by all means part and parcel of being happy. There may be no limit or minimum of the number of true friends that one may need in order to be happy. However, Aristotle says that an individual can have close friendship with an extremely limited number of people simultaneously. Friendship is by all means an important part of human life. Aristotle says, “there are three types of friendship: friendship based on pleasure, usefulness and virtue (Book VIII Chapter 3).” Friendship based on virtue is the only genuine friendship. Friendship based on either usefulness or pleasure tends not to last for long. This means that it will only last for as long as each individual or party derives the pleasure or usefulness he wants from the relationship. Friendship based on the good translates to friendship based on virtues. Virtue based friendship entails wishing good for other people. This kind of friendship is indeed genuine and is necessary for all individuals to be able to grow holistically and gain self-knowledge. Friendship based on good presupposes justice, encompassed in many other virtues. The most outstanding virtue of a friend is love. Aristotle posits interestingly that the existing relationship between friends is more like the harmonious relationship between the different parts of the soul of a man of virtue. Aristotle views friendship as being equivalent to self-love. This may seem as though he is advocating for some sought of egoism. Aristotle is quick to rule out this conclusion by outlining the distinction between the good and the negative forms of self-love. Aristotle argues that real or true self-love emanates from a life that is guided by reason and a desire for what is acceptable, and not merely advantageous (1169a 5-7). Ideally, this is the self-love that describes true friendship. It is practicable and possible for one to act both for his sake and for the sake of his friend. When Aristotle speaks of men treating their friends as part of themselves, or their ‘other selves, he is bringing out the notion that the welfare of another man may become as important to him as his on welfare or well-being. For one to compare his own welfare with that of another person; for that person’s sake and not for pleasure or utility, one must be in touch with reason and also with the other person in question. This can only be successfully achieved by an individual who is reliable and has enduring virtue. There is an undisputable connection between happiness or the good life and friendship. This is in so far as virtue remains an essential component of true friendship. Aristotle brings up an important argument in his book. He writes, “there is a dispute as to whether a happy person would need friends or not. This is attributed to the fact that it is normally said that self-sufficient and blessedly happy people do not need friends. This is because they already have (all) the goods; thus, are self-sufficient, and need nothing more…” (1169b 2-5). He is able to discredit this debate because it totally fails to put human nature into consideration. Aristotle states, “having friends appears to be the ultimate external good"(1169b 9-10). It would then obviously seem absurd to deny the happy person friends. He goes ahead to justify his position that it is better to love than to be loved; hence, everyone needs friends in order to practice these virtuous actions. This is a common experience that a majority of people can attest to. Aristotle puts, “...the friendship between decent people is decent, and it increases the more regularly they meet” (1172a 10-15). Friendship is undoubtedly intrinsic, and a fundamental factor of the ethical life as portrayed by Aristotle. Aristotle’s account seems to fall precisely within the bounds of people’s experiences. Friendship does not only have many desirable advantages for beneficence character-building and altruism, but also overly indispensable for anyone who would wish to lead a virtuous life.   Works Cited Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1985. Print Read More