Aristotle emphasizes that humans, as social animals, can reach true happiness through friendship. He argues that friendship is mutual and is only fully realized in relationships that share moral values.
In his book The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle emphasizes friendship (philia) as an essential element of human life. He defines friendship as a deep relationship that goes beyond mere intimacy or affection and is based on good will and genuine understanding. According to Aristotle, friendship plays a key role in helping humans lead happy and fulfilling lives. This is because, as social animals, we find our meaning of existence and pursue true happiness in our relationships with others. Therefore, he saw friendship as not just an option, but an important virtue that completes our humanity.
For friendship to exist, it requires more than just a relationship between humans; it requires interaction. Aristotle argues that the object of friendship cannot be an inanimate object, because inanimate objects have no emotions or will, and therefore cannot form good will or friendship. Furthermore, if the other person does not respond to one’s goodwill, it is only a one-sided relationship. Such a one-sided relationship is not friendship, but mere goodwill, and true friendship, Aristotle says, can only last if it is reciprocal.
Friendship can be divided into three types according to its form. The first is friendship for gain, the second is friendship for pleasure, and the third is friendship out of good will. Friendship for gain is often seen in business or political relationships. In these relationships, the purpose is to get something out of the other person, so the focus is on the benefits that can be gained from the other person rather than on their essence. Similarly, hedonic friendships prioritize the pleasure of being with someone rather than their intrinsic value. Just as you like a humorous friend not because of his personality, but because he’s fun to be around. Aristotle warns that this kind of friendship for gain and pleasure is temporary and can easily disappear when circumstances change.
But true friendship, or perfect friendship, can only be established between good people. Aristotle calls this kind of friendship “virtue-based friendship,” and it comes from relationships in which each person genuinely desires the other’s good. They don’t simply seek benefit or pleasure; they respect the other person’s character and virtue, which in itself sustains the friendship. This kind of friendship can be sustained for a long time without change, and this is possible when both parties share good will and moral values.
Furthermore, Aristotle argues that perfect friendship can exist even in unequal relationships. Friendship can be established between a father and son, a master and disciple, or even between a superior group and an inferior group. These relationships are built on mutual respect and consideration, which deepens the nature of friendship. For example, in a relationship where a father loves his son and the son respects his father, true friendship can be formed despite their different positions.
Finally, Aristotle emphasizes that friendship is also necessary for the self-sufficient person. While a self-sufficient person is someone who has the ability to satisfy themselves without outside help, Aristotle emphasizes that humans are social animals and experience deeper happiness in social relationships than in solitude. This is because we are naturally drawn to connect with others, and it is in these connections that we can enrich our existence. In the end, for Aristotle, friendship is an important virtue that is inseparable from human life, and it is through it that we can reach true happiness.
