Analysis Of The Virtuous Friendship

The proposition that there is a qualification in the virtuous friendship is that individuals of virtuous similarity are benefitting off each-other through an egoistic manner. It is evident that the virtuous friendship entails the concepts of egocentrism, because Aristotle quotes, “the friend is another himself” (142 Section 5, line 33). The ideal Aristotelian friendship is where friends resemble each other through similar modes of thinking. Significantly, the concept of egocentrism would mean it is unlikely that friends who are like one-another will disagree with each other. In effect, friendships based on similarity are enduring, because the agents whom think alike will avoid conflict. Insofar the similar individuals agree with each other

Aristotle would agree with this concept, but he does not give it enough weight of significance as he does with the similarities of virtue. Aristotle takes notice of the significance of experience, as he quotes a proverb “they cannot know each other before they have shared their salt” (123, 1156b, 25-35). This quote proposes that individuals who have shared numerous meals (experiences) together, indicates the length of time that has been spent between them. However, only through time and experience, these individuals develop a sense of confidence in each other. Significantly, I propose that achieving the state of mutual confidence demonstrates a relationship has reached the state of an excellent friendship. The state of mutual confidence reinforces the relationship, which would make it resilient to potential factors that can dissolve it. The potential factors can be considered as a gradual change in virtue, or severe disputes/dilemmas between individuals. However, to build and continuously test friendships the state of confidence, it requires experiences that puts hardships on the relationship. The form of hardship can be between the individual (a dispute on sensitive subject-matter), or subjective to one of them (a subjective crisis). Significantly, Aristotle proposes a friendship is where individuals wish goodwill upon one-another, and are aware of it (121 section 4, line 5). However, wishing goodwill upon their peer is arguably not enough. Significantly, the confident friendship is where the agent willingly chooses to go beyond their personal limitations to help generate some form of good for the sake