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Is a friendship of virtue a friendship? That seems to violate the idea that friendships are low-commitment and non-binding relationships. I would define my wif

Is a friendship of virtue a friendship? That seems to violate the idea that friendships are low-commitment and non-binding relationships. I would define my wife as my wife and friend, because our status as friends could become shaky but she would still be my wife. Similarly a long time business partner could be someone I identify as a friend or not. Those are both relationships rooted in a common goal, but I think Aristotle's definition of friendship is a stretch here. I think the wisdom of "don't go into business with your friends" is more relevant in my life.

gilbert_vanova 4y ago
> Is a friendship of virtue a friendship? Yes -- and it is plainly the highest form of friendship as it is the closest to dissolving the individual into a greater whole.
- ericmcer 4y ago
  Sounds like something I would hear at a google all hands or something.
srean 4y ago
> the idea that friendships are low-commitment and non-binding relationships Is that your idea of what a friendship is ? Friendship to me means far deeper than that.
- ericmcer 4y ago
  Would you be ok with a friend getting mad at you for not texting them back fast enough? What about wanting to go to counseling with you to discuss why you have been arguing more recently? Yes 100% the reason why I need and love my friends is because those relationships do not have the weight of expectation that other relationships do.
anon291 4y ago
> That seems to violate the idea that friendships are low-commitment and non-binding relationships. Why is friendship low-commitment and non-binding. In the Western world, this is an aberration. For most of Western history, friendship was often considered more permanent and requiring more commitment than even marriage. It was seen as a life-long arrangement, with duties between friends, etc. Slighting one's friend was the start of many bitter bitter disputes that lasted generations.

gilbert_vanova 4y ago

> Is a friendship of virtue a friendship? Yes -- and it is plainly the highest form of friendship as it is the closest to dissolving the individual into a greater whole.

ericmcer 4y ago
Sounds like something I would hear at a google all hands or something.

srean 4y ago

> the idea that friendships are low-commitment and non-binding relationships Is that your idea of what a friendship is ? Friendship to me means far deeper than that.

ericmcer 4y ago
Would you be ok with a friend getting mad at you for not texting them back fast enough? What about wanting to go to counseling with you to discuss why you have been arguing more recently? Yes 100% the reason why I need and love my friends is because those relationships do not have the weight of expectation that other relationships do.

anon291 4y ago

> That seems to violate the idea that friendships are low-commitment and non-binding relationships. Why is friendship low-commitment and non-binding. In the Western world, this is an aberration. For most of Western history, friendship was often considered more permanent and requiring more commitment than even marriage. It was seen as a life-long arrangement, with duties between friends, etc. Slighting one's friend was the start of many bitter bitter disputes that lasted generations.