Single Idea 12275

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 4. External Goods / d. Friendship]

Full Idea

We value friendship for its own sake, even if we are not likely to get anything else from it.

Gist of Idea

We value friendship just for its own sake

Source

Aristotle (Topics [c.331 BCE], 117a03)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics and Topica', ed/tr. Tredennick,H/Foster,ES [Harvard 1960], p.391


A Reaction

In 'Ethics' he distinguishes some friendships which don't meet this requirement. Presumably true friendships survive all vicissitudes (except betrayal), but that makes such things fairly rare.