Aristotle’s Political Friendship (politike philia) as Solidarity

Abstract

Aristotle’s concept of friendship (philia), in particular the friendship between citizens, has had a significant impact on modern political philosophy. In a just state, citizens experience friendship with each other in that they wish each other well for their own sake and do things for each other even though they do not know each other. An important idea that runs throughout Aristotle’s ethical and political works is that citizens aim at promoting the common good. Aristotle defines political friendship as a concord (homonoia) which is a friendship of utility that comprises legal friendship and moral friendship. Political friendship is elaborated in the different constitutions (EN VIII.10, Pol. III.5, IV.2) and can concern different relationships—between citizens, between cities, and among human beings (EN VIII and IX). Political friendship creates concord in society and prevents violence and strife. Aristotle’s concept of political friendship could thus serve as model for contemporary communities, satisfying a growing need for social and global unity beyond liberty or justice. Aristotle insists that friendship (philia) is virtue, and concerns emotion and noble actions aimed at living well together. Therefore, political friendship is the greatest of blessings for the state, since it is the best safeguard against revolution and preserves the unity of the state (Pol. 1262b7–8).