Living in a world that is so fast moving, the Internet has helped us to keep in touch with family and friends, no matter where we are. But can we make new friends through the Internet, without having met them ever before?
According to readings from Aristotle, virtual friendship, defined as friendships that only exist on the Internet, does not qualify as genuine friendship as there is no interaction between the people. On the other hand a Traditional friendship involves real life interaction. According to B. Fröding and M. Peterson ‘‘why virtual friendship is no genuine friendship’’ (2012) if we understand the idea of friendship in an Aristotelian manner, then virtual friendship doesn’t qualify as an honest friendship. For them, it seemed to be what Aristotle described as lower and less valuable form of social exchange. They also argue that virtual friendship can lead to isolation.
As stated in their text, B. Fröding and M. Peterson agree with the views of Cocking and Matthews ‘’Unreal friends*’’ (2008) but don’t argue that virtual friendship is completely impossible. From an Aristotelian point of view virtual friendship worthless compared to other friendships.
For a friendship to be morally valuable, according to the Aristotelian analysis, it must be reciprocal and friends must engage …show more content…
First, friendship based on admiration. Aristotle claims this as being superior as it is based on excellence and friends help each other strive for goodness. Second, friendship based on pleasure, where both people are drawn to each other because of looks. The third is friendship based on mutual advantage. Here both parties derive benefits from each other, such as having connections to a party or buying expensive clothes. The second and third kinds of friendships are accidental as they are based on benefit and pleasure and these ‘friendships’ are short lived as a persons needs and likings change over
According to readings from Aristotle, virtual friendship, defined as friendships that only exist on the Internet, does not qualify as genuine friendship as there is no interaction between the people. On the other hand a Traditional friendship involves real life interaction. According to B. Fröding and M. Peterson ‘‘why virtual friendship is no genuine friendship’’ (2012) if we understand the idea of friendship in an Aristotelian manner, then virtual friendship doesn’t qualify as an honest friendship. For them, it seemed to be what Aristotle described as lower and less valuable form of social exchange. They also argue that virtual friendship can lead to isolation.
As stated in their text, B. Fröding and M. Peterson agree with the views of Cocking and Matthews ‘’Unreal friends*’’ (2008) but don’t argue that virtual friendship is completely impossible. From an Aristotelian point of view virtual friendship worthless compared to other friendships.
For a friendship to be morally valuable, according to the Aristotelian analysis, it must be reciprocal and friends must engage …show more content…
First, friendship based on admiration. Aristotle claims this as being superior as it is based on excellence and friends help each other strive for goodness. Second, friendship based on pleasure, where both people are drawn to each other because of looks. The third is friendship based on mutual advantage. Here both parties derive benefits from each other, such as having connections to a party or buying expensive clothes. The second and third kinds of friendships are accidental as they are based on benefit and pleasure and these ‘friendships’ are short lived as a persons needs and likings change over