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  • Essay / Aristotle and Friendship - 1081

    Complete Friendships and “Decent” Individuals In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that there are three distinct types of friendship: utility, pleasure, and complete friendship . Utilitarian and pleasant friendships are fueled by personal gain defined by usefulness or pleasure. These friendships are casual and easily dissolve due to lack of foundation, among other factors. Aristotle believes that the ultimate friendship between two individuals is a complete friendship. In this lasting relationship, both parties wish the same good for the other as they do for themselves. Aristotle clarifies that this friendship is only viable between two people who share similar and high virtuous standards. Vicious people would not participate in it, as they would. In Aristotle's framework, these friendships are relatively superficial and do not require much time, effort, or concern. However, a complete friendship must still have some virtue because of its intrinsic meaning. Truly vicious people only care about themselves and give little or no importance to others. Regardless of the other party, even if one of them is of the highest virtue, vicious people remain true to that state of mind. This would quickly manifest itself in friendship. Therefore, at least some virtue must be present in both individuals to create a truly meaningful friendship beyond personal benefit. Without any virtue, actions of compassion or altruism would never occur, diminishing the idea of ​​complete and mutual friendship. As Aristotle also suggests, anyone who is not completely virtuous will find no pleasure or pleasure in engaging in complete friendship – the individual would be too self-centered. . The problems in this dynamic would quickly come to the surface and the friendship would have little hope of lasting. This is generally why friendships of pleasure and utility tend to dissolve quickly; they lack a deeper moral respect that only complete friendships possess. Additionally, this type of friendship will present a strong imbalance due to the lack of reciprocity and symmetry. If one person is more virtuous than the other, this is likely to result in feelings of neglect and unworthiness. Aristotle asserts that complete friends must possess the same virtue as those.