The Friendship as the cornerstone of political life in Aristotle's thought

Abstract

This dissertation begins by explaining, from Aristotle's perspective, the rational and political nature of man, which demands that he aspire to live well. This is where the city emerges, becoming the natural expression of the sociable human condition. First, the limitations of individual existence and the necessity of political life, founded on friendship, are exposed. The second section presents the mutual dependence between ethics and politics, thereby explaining how friendship becomes the cornerstone that makes possible the virtuous life of the polis, justice among its citizens, and the possible happiness of the community. For the Stagirite, virtues are presented as the ethical-political path leading to civic happiness. The practice of virtue refers to relationships with others, since one needs friends to favor. Friendship—as a result of the virtuous life—constitutes a determining factor in the connection between ethics and politics. The happy and good life of the city is achieved through the grouping of people who share a prior friendship. Friendship, ethics, and politics are a triad that makes possible the Aristotelian polis and the exercise of citizenship. The third aspect with which these reflections conclude concerns the relevance of the proposal of friendship as the foundation of social life.