Ethics Book 8 & 9

Aristotle categorizes friendship to be based on one of three things: utility, pleasure, or goodness. According to Aristotle, the most difficult to attain but also the most rewarding is a friendship based on goodness. I agree with his evaluation as I can only evaluate two of my friendships to truly be based on goodness. Though I share a friendship with and care for many people, my most pure friendships are those in which I value the other person’s goodness and where we are both willing to sacrifice much to help the other succeed. Extending the idea of friendship to a government and its people, a corrupt political state is one where there is an imbalance of benefit between the two members. Throughout history, people of the state revolt when they feel that the government is abusing of them and their service without giving enough benefit back to the people. A popular example of this is when the 13 colonies revolted against Great Britain because they felt neglected by their government. History supports Aristotle’s idea that a relationship with an imbalance of benefit will not endure.

Aristotle points out how although some relationships seem to be based on selflessness or appreciating the good in others, that is not always the case. In my life, I value the goodness of certain people, such as my teachers or even classmates, but these feelings sometimes remain as superficial approval for the person and never develop into a friendship. Also, I have met people who I deem to be self-loving; that is, they do a service to others, not because they have a genuine care and friendship with the person, but because it is a noble action that makes them feel good about themselves. This type of relationship is beneficial to both parties, but it remains superficial and has a limit to its benefit. Friendship is a vague term for the relationship between two people and can take many drastically different forms. Because friendship is a dynamic thing that changes with time, though some friendships grow, others also end. If friends begin to develop different goals, they often stop receiving and providing what the other person needs. I agree with Aristotle’s argument that it is appropriate for these friendships to end. Although friendships might end, I also think that it is very beneficial to remember those friendships. Apart from the memory of the friendship being joyous, it is also a means to learn what a person looks for in future relationships. If a person meets a stranger who is very similar to someone who used to be their friend, they can predict that the friendship might not last. Remembering previous friendships and evaluating them is one way for a person to define what they want and do not want in a friendship.