Book Eight And Nine Of Nicomachean Ethics - 1698 Words

In Book eight and nine of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses the variations of friendships that are present in human nature. He further goes into detail on the terms and grounds on forming these friendships. I will be analyzing the different types of friendship discussed in Aristotle’s Ethics and answer the difficulties and obstacles present in trying to achieve the perfect friendship, the friendship based on goodness. The beginning of Book eight of the Nicomachean Ethics states that friendship is a â€Å"kind of virtue and it is also most necessary for living† (Book VIII, 1155a, 1-2). Friendships connect to all walks of life, with friends we can help young from making mistakes and assist the elderly in life through their delicate state they cannot do themselves. The most significant power friendship has is the ability to hold communities and how it’s closely connected to justice (Book VIII, 1155a, 20-26). Which is interesting because it seems that by human nature we strive for the sense of harmony in a community. We aim for happiness between community members and happiness as a whole. Aristotle later comments that a possession of many friends are one of the fine things of life and it is a splendid thing to obtain. The second part of Book eight is Aristotle defining the objects and definitions of affection. These are goodness, usefulness, and pleasure. These are the three reasons humans have for loving an object or person. Aristotle continues to explain the each