Philia

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics IX.8: Self-love and Selfishness Text: §1 (1168a29-35) “§1 There is also a puzzle about whether one ought to love oneself or someone else most of all; for those who like themselves most are criticized and denounced as self-lovers, as though this were something shameful. Indeed, the base person seems to go to every length for his own sake, and all the more the more vicious he is; hence he is accused…of doing nothing [for any end apart] from himself. The decent…

with many different meanings and definitions which can range from dear friend to passionate lover. Many psychologists have 6 or more categories for love; however the Greeks define love into four different categories such as Eros, Storge, Agape, and Philia. Each with a different meaning, signifying different types of love that can be felt. We have experienced at least three of the four types in our life and may experience all four in our lifetime. Not only did the Greeks define love into four…

Aristotle argue the importance of love in attaining true contentment. However, the different forms they describe carry different connotations and different levels of influence on life. In Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, he states the importance of philia in leading a life of contentment. "For friendship is a certain virtue or is accompanied by virtue; and, further, it is most necessary with a view to life; without friends, no one would choose to live..."1His…

Sophocles’ Antigone frames a central conflict between Antigone and Kreon, two characters who have differing loyalties. Antigone is most loyal to her family; in fact, it is the question of whether her brother deserves burial rights that drives the play. Kreon, on the other hand, believes that loyalty to one’s city should take priority over loyalty to one’s family. A modern equivalent to this ideological dispute is the debate about whether the United States federal government is ethically…

sexual passion, Philia meaning deep friendship, Ludus meaning playful love, Agape or love for everyone, Pragma meaning long lasting love, and Philautia meaning love of the self. Eros, named after the Greek god of fertility, and it represented the idea of sexual passion and also desire. But the Greeks didn't always think of it as something positive. In fact, eros was viewed as rather dangerous, fiery, and irrational form of love that could take hold of you and possess you. Philia concerned the…

Aristotle claimed that the concept of possessing good in life was necessary for happiness: “some are necessary conditions while others are naturally useful and cooperative as instruments.” (Nicomachean Ethics 1099b28-29). He further explains that “having friends seems to be the greatest external good” (Nicomachean Ethics 9.9.1169b10-11). Friendship can be used to achieve this external good for it is deemed a virtuous action which is considered necessary for achieving the desired happiness that…

Review on The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis. The four loves is a book about different types of love written by C. S. Lewis (1898-1963). Lewis was a man of many occupations such as Novelist, scholar, broadcaster and English literature tutor, but for this purpose a British novelist, who studied at Oxford University and was married to Joy Davidman and is still celebrated for his wonderful works. Apart from The four loves, he wrote other books like, The Allegory of Love, Boxen, God in the Dock,…

itself love is a difficult concept to define. How do you avoid confusing it with lust or desire? How can one truly define what love is? One may choose to look back at the words used by the Greeks in their definition of what love is, such as eros, philia, agape. Love does not only lie in one 's self but with others as well. That is to say that our love is directed towards others, whether it be through and through the notion of self love We can break love into three components, Passion…

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.…

What is love? In today’s society, the meaning of the word love ranges in meaning from case to case and context to context. Sometimes maintaining the distinctions between the different uses of the word love is troublesome and souses some angst as to whether the word love has lost its meaning and value and has therefore turned into another catch all word similar to curse words today. Reflecting on love in our own lives and on the Song of Solomon can give us wisdom to affect current…