ABSTRACT
The Aristotelian key words characterizing friendship are contained in a laconic sentence: “All kinds of friendship exist by interrelating/intercommunicating”. The rich and those in power require friendship in order to keep their prosperity, while people in poverty or suffering misfortune can find refuge only in friends. There has always been a question whether in friendship one seeks for somebody like him (in age, character, etc.), or on the contrary if people who are alike are jealous and antagonize each other. Aristotle begins to investigate the parameters of friendship based on psychological motives and final aims. He considers that a lovable object or person worthy of our friendship is only that which is good (agathon), pleasant (hedy), or useful (chresimon)—thus defining three types of friendship. Aristotle is interested in the ways that a stable friendship can be achieved. Aristotle’s diligent study of interpersonal relations led him to formulate some determining conditions under which a real and stable friendship can develop.
