Kinds of Friendship Flashcards
(14 cards)
what are the 4 types of character that Aristotle distinguishes between four kinds of people
Virtuous:
desires align with reason and they act rightly.
Continent (self-controlled):
struggle with bad desires but resist them.
Incontinent (morally weak):
know what’s right but fail to act on it.
Vicious:
bad desires and no regret—they think wrong is right.
it is a moral weakness where people act against better judgment due to emotion.
Incontinence (Akrasia)
- he explains that knowledge must be active (not just possessed) to guide action
types of akrasia
Impulsive (from passion)
— more forgivable.
Calculating (from reasoning)
— more blameworthy.
true or false:
Aristotle defends pleasure as a component of the good life, but only when it’s moderated and rational.
true - He criticizes those who dismiss pleasure entirely—it can be noble if aligned with virtue.
what are the 3 types of friendship
Friendship of Utility:
based on usefulness;
ends when the benefit ends.
Friendship of Pleasure:
based on enjoyment;
common in youth.
Friendship of the Good (Virtue): based on mutual respect and virtue;
the highest form.
who can sustain perfect friendships, because they wish each other well for who they are—not for what they offer.
virtuous people
- must involve mutual goodwill and awareness of it = true friendship
true or false:
Friendships must be between equals or maintain proportional fairness.
true
*In unequal friendships (e.g., ruler/subject or parent/child), balance is preserved through giving more love or honor from one side.
friends are also described as
“another self”
why do we find pleasure in friends
as we see our own virtues reflected in them
how do we love a friend well
we must first be good and love ourselves rightly.
why do disputes often arise in utility and pleasure friendships
as expectations differ
why are conflicts rare in virtue friendships
since both wish the best for each other sincerely
how can friendships end when moral character changes
If one friend becomes vicious, the other may withdraw.
However, we should show some patience or loyalty depending on the depth and history of the friendship
true or false:
Aristotle argues that friendship is not necessary for happiness.
false - it is necessary
Even the happiest person, fully self-sufficient, still needs friends to share virtue and contemplation.
Friends help us act and grow in virtue, making them crucial to the good life.
