Authors

Sandra Lynch, University of Notre Dame AustraliaFollow

Title

Philosophy and Friendship

Document Type

Book

Publication Date

2005

Abstract

A philosophical exploration of the meaning and significance of friendship.

This book explains the persistence of friendship today in the light of the history of philosophical approaches to the subject. It considers ideals of intimacy and fusion in the context of claims that such ideals are unrealistic and even dangerous. Cicero's scepticism about friendship in the public realm is compared with the Aristotelian view of friendship as a genuine political bond, and with Derrida's development of that view via an exploration of Aristotle's alleged and provocative announcement 'O my friends, there is no friend'. Tensions between love and respect, identity and difference, a focus on the self and a focus on the other are closely examined.

From Aristotle to contemporary theorists, the book explores the conditions that enable the development of self-understanding in friendship, the delicate and unstable pairing of concepts like inclination and duty and distinctions between self-love, self esteem and self-concern in relations between friends.

ISBN: 978-0-7486-1727-2

Comments

Due to copyright restrictions Philosophy and Friendship is unavailable for download.

Staff and Students of the University of Notre Dame Australia may access Philosophy and Friendship from St Benedict's Library Closed Reserve 177.62 LYN 2005.

Philosophy and Friendship may be accessed from the publisher here

Philosophy and Friendship may be accessed as a Google Book from the National Library of Australia here

Recommended Citation

Lynch, S. (2005). Philosophy and friendship. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.