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When thinking about these questions about ethics of friendship. I think that one has to look at it in parts, and the reason that I say this is that one has to a holistic approach to ethics of friendship. The philosopher Socrates stated, “the individuals have the opportunity not only to learn about the limitations of the beliefs that they hold true” (Vernon, 2010, p. 255). Making a point that we all have limitations about how everyone views how social, economic, and religious affect the overall character. A limitation can expose vulnerabilities or stress a friendship. As for the philosopher Aristotle’s comment, “[one is] better able to observe our friends than ourselves and their actions than our own’. But more so because to truly befriend others is to stare life’s uncertainties, limits and ambiguities in the face. To seek friendship is to seek wisdom.” (Vernon, 2010, p. 255). Aristotle is saying that friends should be at a distance early on, then as uncertainties, limits, and ambiguities, learn how to befriend them, and know oneself. The philosopher, Plato’s view, is “find blunt honesty too harsh all of the time; that is wise, because even discerning individuals can make mistakes when judging others” (Vernon, 2010, p. 252). Plato is stating that one should judge his friends in order to find there mistake from judging others. Finally, the philosopher Emerson’s view was to “ developed a dynamic ethos or spirituality of friendship characterised as the struggle to rise above life’s everyday ambiguities.” (Vernon, 2010, p. 256). Emerson is saying that developing a form of spirituality one can rise above every challenge that is one daily life.
As one can see, there are several different views and perspectives on how philosophers viewed one’s limitations of one’s beliefs, the flaws, and vulnerabilities of character. I feel that my beliefs are a mixture of Socrates and Emerson’s views. Personally, for me, the ethics of friendship is about finding strengths and weaknesses in my friends while trying to identify how a form of spirituality can help strengthen a friendship. It is the most important to understand how flaws and vulnerabilities have improved one’s character and also helps one’s friendships. When talking about how friends view obligations of me, I feel that it should be reciprocal when it comes to friendship. The reason for this is that one should know each other flaws and vulnerabilities as the foundation to build a friendship.
The way that I understand how one sees the ability to live life without certainty in terms of friendship and do concur that there should an ethical approach to friendship. It is similar to the view of the philosopher Thomas Aquinas and the belief that God is in every friendship (Vernon, 2010, p. 253). I feel that one does not know what is going to happen in life; however, one should have a friendship as a foundation to build love off of an ethical approach. With a belief in faith in God provides a foundation that supports friendship and values.
Reference:
Vernon, Mark. (2010) The Meaning of Friendship. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan
