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Custom essays on Aristotle, Friendship and Work Relationships

Aristotle was one of the most renowned philosophers of the ancient world, whose influence can be traced in the philosophical thought of many civilizations. His ideas and philosophical concepts became fundamental for the development of European philosophy and affected many philosophers of later epochs. At the same time, Aristotle focused his attention on issues which disturbed many other philosophers and which are still relevant. In this respect, it is worth mentioning the fact that Aristotle is the author of many philosophical works, including works on politics, ethics and social life. At this point, the problem of friendship and work relationship is particularly interesting because Aristotle stood on the ground that friendship and work are closely intertwined and, what was more, he attempted to analyze these concepts in the context of happiness of people. In other words, friendship and work were important factors of happiness of an individual, according to Aristotle. In such a situation, it is very important to research Aristotle’s idea of relationship between friendship and work as well as fundamental concepts developed by Aristotle, such as happiness and justice, which, though existed before him, but he managed to provide a different, original interpretation of these concepts. custom essays
Aristotle’s ideas on happiness, justice and friendship
On analyzing the development of Aristotle’s ideas, it is necessary to underline the fact that happiness was traditionally in the focus of the philosopher’s attention. At the same time, unlike many of his contemporaries, he did not view happiness a concept which can be applied to an individual solely. Instead, he developed a large concept of happiness which implied that it is only an individual who can be happy, but it is also the entire society that can be happy. Moreover, he argued that an individual cannot be happy if the society he lives in is unhappy. In this respect, it is necessary to his works on politics where he critically evaluated the existing political and social systems. On evaluating the existing forms of state, Aristotle concluded that they make people unhappy because they are imperfect and deprive people of a happy life (Lord, 310). He denied practically all forms of states, including tyranny, oligarchy and even democracy. His criticism revealed the fact that practically all of the states oppressed individuals or were unjust in relation to individuals. Instead, he suggested his own alternative of a state, where philosophers ruled. He believed that only such a state could ensure justice for all people that will eventually make them happier and provide ample opportunities to focus on their favorite activities
In such a context, it is necessary to underline that justice was a very important element of happiness for Aristotle. He believed that an individual cannot be happy if he suffers from injustice, but, at the same time, Aristotle agreed that all people can hardly count for justice in Greek states because all states forms defended interests of certain groups only, but not the society as a whole and each individual in particular. As a result, some people turned to be defenseless in face of justice, while others could use justice in their own interests. Naturally, such systems were unjust and, therefore, people cannot get rid of vices, such as envy and anger in relation to each other. These vices are provoked by the inequality and injustice that ruled in the society at the epoch. at this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that Aristotle concluded that the unjust society makes an individual unhappy (Knight, 226). Consequently, the individual happiness depended on the society and was impossible without just and happy society, while justice was an essential component of happiness.