The Thomistic Institute Friendship and the Common Good | Prof. Adam Eitel
May 16, 2025
Join Prof. Adam Eitel, an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Dallas, as he unpacks the deep connections between friendship and the common good, drawing on the insights of Aquinas and Aristotle. He delves into how true friendship is a dynamic, habitual wish for the good of others, highlighting love and shared goals as the essence of genuine relationships. Eitel also discusses the transformative nature of charity in friendships, illustrating its pivotal role in shaping our collective identity and community purpose.
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Friendship as Mutual Goodwill
- Friendship is a kind of love focused on willing the good of another.
- Unlike loving things selfishly, friendship involves desiring good for another person mutually.
Mutuality and Action in Friendship
- Friendship requires mutual willing of good between persons.
- It's more than well-wishing; friends share concrete fellowship and action towards each other's good.
Friendship as Habitual Disposition
- Friendship is a habit, a stable disposition in each friend.
- It endures beyond specific acts and is a capacity to act toward the other's good.
