In search of true friendship

Luciana Karine De Souza

doi:10.1590/s0100-512x2008000100010

Abstract

The present text proposes a discussion on the concept of true friendship. The argument is grounded mostly on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Owen Flanagan's ethics as human ecology, and on contemporary authors' works about the Greek philosopher's concept of friendship. Given that human beings flourish through 1) exercising capacities, 2) being moral, and 3) having true friendships, difficulties to establish the level of trust required by true friendships turns the search itself (for them) morally valid.

Highlights

RESUMO O presente texto propõe uma discussão sobre o conceito de amizade verdadeira
The present text proposes a discussion on the concept of true friendship
Knowing which environments are better for beavers to flourish, one can determine the necessary steps to create a good habitat for these animals. It is in this sense that Flanagan conceives ethics as human ecology – the study of the necessary conditions for human beings to flourish

Summary

Luciana Karine de Souza

The present text proposes a discussion on the concept of true friendship. The argument is grounded mostly on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Owen Flanagan’s ethics as human ecology, and on contemporary authors’ works about the Greek philosopher’s concept of friendship. Knowing which environments are better for beavers to flourish (for instance), one can determine the necessary steps to create a good habitat for these animals It is in this sense that Flanagan conceives ethics as human ecology – the study of the necessary conditions for human beings to flourish. In determining the conditions that lead to a good life, beyond living morally and having true friendships, Flanagan adds the Aristotelian principle invoked by John Rawls on his discussion of life plans and human flourishing. It is the enjoyment of being able to exercise our capacities (innate and trained abilities); enjoyment that increases as the capacities are realized or become more complex. Before getting to the aforementioned quest, it is relevant to offer an overview of Aristotle’s ideas on friendship based on virtue

Friendship in Aristotle

True friendship

Final words