Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle - Essay Example

Philosophy Introduction Aristotle argues in Book VIII of the Nicomachean Ethics that friendships based upon utility or pleasures are not enduring. Aristotle bases his arguments upon certain premises that aim at proving his arguments. Aristotle points out that nature of causes determines the nature of the causes’ objectives and the friendships differ in species (Aristotle, 78). Aristotle claims that to love for pleasure is only to love for utility as love for utility x while mean an individual loves x for pleasure (Pangle 56). Accordingly, utility varies with each individual, as older people are more inclined to seeking utility relationships (Aristotle, 1156a25). In this case, Aristotle clarifies that what is relative is not enduring. Aristotle defends his argument by outlining that This essay will explore the strengths of objections to the argument in order to confirm Aristotle argument on the nature of true friendships. Objectors to key premises Opponents of Aristotle argument outline that relationships develop after a long period of time and long-term relationships are more meaningful than short-term relationships. In this case, objectors point out those individuals who take time to form intimate and closer relationships will avoid the temptations of pleasurable and transitory relationships that entail utility considerations. The opponents assert that life is ever-changing with new forms of friendships thus individuals must aim at attaining satisfactory at every day. The objectors assert that the nature of certain relationships entail unequal exchanges and the amount of love must be equivalent to proportion to the utility obtained by each person. Case example of such relationships includes rule-subject relationship and father-son relationship. In this case, the subject will display more love for the ruler if he or she believes is getting enough utility from the ruler (Pangle 100). Replies to objections Aristotle counters the objections by asserting that ‘true friends’ are good in themselves and virtues since they wish well to their friends and desire to maintain the friendship. True friends will be pleasant and useful to each other and do not enter in to incidental friendships that are based on expected pleasures or utility (Pangle 67). Aristotle clarifies that love for utility means that an individual loves for pleasure and love for pleasure only is to love for utility thus the love is based on extrinsic reasons. In this case, some lovers complain their excess love is not reciprocated while beloved may complain that his lover promised some pleasures, but performs nothing of those expectations. A case scenarios will arise when the lover loves the other for the sake of attaining pleasure while the beloved for the sake of utility and both do not possess the qualities expected in the relationship. Aristotle demonstrates that the friendship will cease to exist if the parties do not receive the things that formed the motive of love since each did not love each other for the sake of their likeable characters and qualities. From the argument, Aristotle concludes that love for pleasure and utility is transient unlike love formed on the basis of characters and qualities that are self-dependent and do not change with time (Pangle 234). The utility in friendships is relative to the needs as older people are oriented towards the expedient seek utility relationships. Individuals who are guided by feelings seek to satisfy such feelings as evidenced by young personas who engage in routine activities such as football games in order to satisfy their pleasure and erotic feelings of young persons. The satisfaction of the underlying feelings leads to pleasure, but feelings change with time thus making the relationship not enduring (Pangle 167). Theoretical observations Aristotle articulates that genuine friends loves and likes the other person for the same of that other person and friendship entails reciprocal goodwill. Aristotle offers three types of friendships that include friendships based on utility, pleasure and genuine friendship that is based on characters of the people. His theory demonstrates that friendships based on utility or pleasure are not enduring since extrinsic things change over time thus diminishing the purpose of the friendship. Good friendship is not coincidental and such friends take care of each other and wish to do good things for the sake of the other without expecting any reciprocal utility or pleasure. Friendship is based on companionship, trust and character that make one act for the sake of another and self-sacrifice in fostering the welfare of the other (Pangle 50). Human beings live better with friends and are pleasant to watch virtuous actions. Friends cultivate each other’s values and help each other life a fulfilling life. Accordingly, a good friend shares the pain and sorrows of friends and bases his friendship on virtuous character and not extrinsic material goods such as power, money or erotic feelings (Pangle 71). From the theoretical observations, virtues are durable unlike pleasures that fade with time thus enduring relationships are those based on virtuous characters and not utility or pleasure. Significance of the argument The current society is full of challenges that tempt people to engage in superficial pleasures instead of pursuing the alternative that are harder and beneficial in the long run. The young people needs friends to engage in pleasurable activities while the old need friends to take care of them. The poor need friends in order to have a ‘refuge’ while the communities need friends in order to ensure social cohesion and meaningful development. Though people make friends based on their pleasurable activities such as ‘fellow soldiers’, such friendship must be based on virtues and goodwill for each other in order to last. For instance, friendship between business partners usually end when the business winds up and romantic relationships encounter conflicts when the partners stop being physically attractive to each other due to wearing down of the thrill that motivated their relationship. However, virtuous characters are durable and such friendships entail love of each other in himself, for who he is due to the virtuous characters. Aristotle argument is necessary in maintaining cordial relationships within families and communities since the members of the society will engage in common activities that are mutually beneficial and cooperate in fostering the welfare of the communities. In this case, professionals like doctors and teachers will be capable of offering their services without expecting equal and high rewards from the government since their primary obligation is to take care of others. In the political community, Aristotle clarifies that all children should receive the same standards of education and private citizens should take up the responsibility as a matter of public concern since this move leads to overall good for the community (Pangle 288). Aristotle arguments are applicable in representative democratic governments since the electorate will prefer leaders who do the right thing for the sake of helping the citizens uplift their economic status. The leaders must have shared vision and values in order to convince the electorate of their capability to deliver essential social and economic change in the society. The political representatives will abstain for corrupt practices and pursuing external goods like wealth and engage in activities that foster the general welfare of the electorate (Pangle 300). Conclusion Aristotle successfully demonstrates that friendships based on utility or pleasure are not enduring since they do not regard the other person. The friendships will cease to be useful when utility does not exist between the persons since friendships between young people are based on shared activities that end with time. In this case, friendships based on intrinsic good or when both parties enjoy each other virtues are enduring since the purpose of the friendship is to take care of each other. Human beings needs friends and enduring friendships must be based on virtues in order to avoid pleasures and ensure meaningful relationships. From the above analysis, I agree with Aristotle that pleasure relationships will continue as long as parties attain their utility and pleasure. I acknowledge that utility is relative and changes with time thus such relationships are not enduring thus those who base their relationships upon pleasure seek what is not enduring. Work cited: Pangle, L.S. Aristotle and the philosophy of friendship. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2003. Read More