Love is indisputably a key part of the good life. In this session, we’ll consider exactly what role it plays. We’ll read Aristotle’s beautiful meditations on philia (friendship) and consider the three categories of friendship he supposes contribute to a good life. We’ll also consider objections to Aristotle’s view that the highest forms of friendship require virtue.
Read This:
Aristotle on Friendship (Selections from Nicomachean Ethics VIII)
Key Concepts:
- Eros, philia, agapē
- Aristotle’s three types of friendship
Have questions or thoughts about the reading? Post them on PollEverywhere, and upvote any classmates’ responses that you’d like to cover in class. We’ll address the most upvoted responses during the Q&A part of class.
Pre-Class Questions
Your responses to the following questions are due on Canvas before class. Your top 15 scores of the semester will count toward your final grade.
- In your own words, explain each of Aristotle’s three types of friendship, and give an example of each.
- Give at least two reasons why Aristotle would think that you, and most other college students, probably do not have any “perfect” friendships. Do you agree? Explain.
Living the Good Life
This prompt will be one of your options to address in Activity #5 of Map to the Good Life, which will be due on April 17.
Have a ~20-minute conversation with someone else about a mutual friend you both share. Each of you should identify at least three qualities you admire in your mutual friend, and should reflect on what your friendship with them has contributed to your life. Afterward, write a reflection on your main takeaways from the conversation, noting any significant points of agreement and any significant differences between you and your conversation partner. Your reflection should draw substantive connections to Aristotle’s theory of friendship.
