Aristotle’s Theory of Friendship

Abstract Aristotle’s theory of friendship has been appropriated in philosophy and psychology. It provides a more psychologically rich and realistic interpretation of friendship. This theory is adapted and termed a “neo-Aristotelian theory.” Neo-Aristotelian theory helps to overcome the individualism and instrumentalism in the Communication-Satisfaction Model. Aristotle offered an ethic of the good life and described the good life as one that fulfills one’s human nature. He makes friendship central to fulfilling humans’ social nature. Aristotle’s theory of friendship is very capacious, including three types of friendship with differing aims (pleasure, utility, goodness). Aristotle focused on the good character of friends and on activities directed toward shared, worthwhile goals much more than on subjective experiences, fostering a much richer account of the activities of friendship. His focus is on constitutive activity wherein means and ends cannot be separated. He also believed that friendship is important in both private and public lives.