Aristotle seems to give a somewhat unsure response to the possibility of friendships that are between unequal individuals. When talking about those that are highly virtuous being friends with those that are not really virtuous at all, he uses the example of a king to a peasant (1159a). This relationship is highly unlikely and would not be something that anybody would expect. However, Aristotle also says that the point at which inequality rules out friendship is unclear. Only in terms of divinity and man does he think it clear that friendship seems impossible due to their separation.
Later in chapter 14 of book VIII, Aristotle gives an explanation of what both sides of the unequal friendship are to give each other if it is of the virtuous nature. It is obvious that the person of lower standing benefits from becoming friends with a highly virtuous person because they can learn how to be more virtuous and can be educated on the subject. This would only be a utility friendship, so what does the greater person benefit from the lower? The lower person is to give the more virtuous person honor for their excellence and teachings. Aristotle believes honor to be a proportionate benefit to what the higher individual gives the lesser. By maintaining this proportionality, equality within the friendship is restored. Thus, it seems that unequal individuals can become friends. Does the limitation of friendship between divinity and man oppose Christian thought?
-BaylorBear16
that is an interesting application of the inequality issue. Perhaps we see it as friendship but god does not?
ReplyDeleteYes I think when compared to Christianity, Aristotle's limitation is partly opposed, but partly correct. In one way, we do aim as Christians to become friends with God and are invited into this sort of relationship. But at the same time, God is our creator and wishing for God's well-being seems strange since he is already all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere. There is something unique or special about this relationship that brings it to a deeper level that extends beyond how we think about friendship in this life. One reason for this is that we cannot even imagine what it would actually be like to reach eternal communion with God and so we have a taste of such a relationship in this life to which the wording of friendship may apply.
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