3 Types Of Friendship According To Aristotle

Aristotle placed special emphasis on the concept of friendship. He writes it as a valuable asset and a part towards a good life. He also said that one can run on three types of friendships. Only one of them can really turn into a good friendship: a fantastic, selfless and significant band.

As most people know, Aristotle was a universal genius. His knowledge, or rather his curiosity, helped him become an expert in various subjects, such as logic, science and philosophy.

You see it when you read books like The Nichomo Ethics. It was in it that he spoke of people as extremely social beings. He says that we are like social animals, and that friendship is therefore the most satisfying way for us to live together.

Due to the limitations of his time, this Greek said he had no chance to learn about the mysteries of the brain. But modern science has demonstrated that it needs social interactions to develop, survive and be healthy.

We are absolutely social beings. But our relationships need to be built on a solid foundation.

So often we look to philosophers as respectable but distant sources of wisdom. They are voices from a long time ago that are quoted from time to time to educate people about something. But we do not think they have much to do with modern life.

But no one can be further from the truth. With all this existential anxiety we have now, it is actually a perfect opportunity to rediscover ancient wisdom.

Nichomaki ethics is an excellent example of an ancient self-help book. It is about getting happiness and how relationships fit into our daily lives. Aristotle believed that friendships were where you learned to give and receive.

But that does not mean he saw it as a transaction. For he also said that “it is not noble to hope for services in return, for only a shameless person requires benefactors, and friendship is above all freedom. That’s the most virtuous way to be. ”

And that is where Aristotle’s idea of ​​three types of friendship comes from. Let’s take a look at them.

Self-interested friendships

It is well known that some people exploit others for their own benefit. Some people do it a lot and others would never think of it. Then there is a small group of people who look at friendship like this, as something to get something out of.

Of course, you always expect to get something out: support, trust, good times, etc. But there are people who will flatter and manipulate to get very different things: social status, recognition…

Friendship for pleasure only

This is one of the three types of friendship that you are probably aware of. This is the type that often occurs when you are a child or teenager. But later, when you become more picky, more careful and use the right filter, you begin to realize that this type is a double-edged sword.

But what is the difference between a selfish friendship and one that is pleasure-based? In the first, someone tries to get some benefit from the friendship (services, access to other people, recognition, etc.). In the other, they just want to “have fun”.

They are people who live empty, meaningless, hedonistic lifestyles, where the only reason to want to spend time with other people is to have a relaxing or fun time. So if you really need support for a problem, or when things are not going well, your fake friend will go up in smoke.

The perfect friendship

The last of Aristotle’s three types of friendship is the ideal one. It is the most solid – and rare – but is still possible. It is a friendship that goes beyond use and enjoyment. Instead, one really appreciates the person for who he is.

There is also generosity here, because you are not trying to get anything out of the friendship. All you want is to spend good times together, share your lives and be a shoulder for the other to lean on.

It is based on kindness, and Aristotle even said that it is almost like a romantic relationship. For perfect friends, true friends, rarely come into our lives.

There are not many of them out there, but they are people you can be deeply intimate with and not worry about them turning against you. They are people you will share experiences, memories and promises with, the kind that neither time nor distance can break apart.

It is quite possible that you are currently experiencing all three of Aristotle’s types of friendship. People who want something from you, friends who only show up when something fun is going on and fantastic people who are there in a hurry.

Let’s celebrate the friends who would not trade you for anything, those who make life’s journey so much easier and more interesting…