But I find the difference between a psychological definition and a dictionary one quite thought-provoking. This psychological explanations read, “ A voluntary relationship between people that lasts a long time and those involved are concerned about each other. It develops from shared interests and experiences and is mutually gratifying.” (Psychological Dictionary) We have now added two more key components when describing friendship, it is both voluntary and mutually gratifying. If that is the psychological demarcation, what would the philosophical description be? According to the university of Stanford friendship can be defined as, “A distinctively personal relationship that is grounded in a concern on the part of each friend for the welfare of the other, for the other’s sake, and that involves some degree of intimacy.” (Stanford Encyclopedia) The philosophical definition has now added that there is a mutual interest in the welfare of each other within a friendship. If we then take our dictionary definition and add these key components we would obtain an explanation similar to, “A voluntary state of being attached to someone else by a feeling of mutual gratification and caring, as well as an interest in the welfare of both people.” This is an incredible explanation of friendship, as far as a book definition can go. However, I do not believe a book or a website can give a person their definition of friendship, I believe each person has to develop their own definition through experiences and life
But I find the difference between a psychological definition and a dictionary one quite thought-provoking. This psychological explanations read, “ A voluntary relationship between people that lasts a long time and those involved are concerned about each other. It develops from shared interests and experiences and is mutually gratifying.” (Psychological Dictionary) We have now added two more key components when describing friendship, it is both voluntary and mutually gratifying. If that is the psychological demarcation, what would the philosophical description be? According to the university of Stanford friendship can be defined as, “A distinctively personal relationship that is grounded in a concern on the part of each friend for the welfare of the other, for the other’s sake, and that involves some degree of intimacy.” (Stanford Encyclopedia) The philosophical definition has now added that there is a mutual interest in the welfare of each other within a friendship. If we then take our dictionary definition and add these key components we would obtain an explanation similar to, “A voluntary state of being attached to someone else by a feeling of mutual gratification and caring, as well as an interest in the welfare of both people.” This is an incredible explanation of friendship, as far as a book definition can go. However, I do not believe a book or a website can give a person their definition of friendship, I believe each person has to develop their own definition through experiences and life