True Friendship: Insights from the Classical and Christian Traditions | Prof. Joshua Hochschild
Feb 20, 2020
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Delve into philosophical teachings on friendship with insights from Plato, Aristotle, and Christian perspectives. Explore the essence of true friendship, ethical principles, and the challenges of forming relationships in the digital age. Reflect on the impact of friends on character development and navigating friendships during religious conversion.
True friendship in classical and Christian traditions involves trust in advice, challenges of trust, and virtues of friendship.
Plato's 'Lysis' reveals deeper insights on love and wisdom beyond initial perceptions of pederasty.
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics discusses types of friendship and the rarity of true friendship rooted in virtue.
Deep dives
Nature of True Friendship
True friendship is explored through the classical and Christian traditions, questioning the trust in receiving advice on friendship from different perspectives. The essence of true friendship is delved into, including the challenges of trust, leading to a study of friendship dialogues by Plato and Aristotle.
Plato's Dialogue on Love
Plato's dialogue 'Lysis' is analyzed, revealing a deeper insight beyond initial perceptions of pederasty. The linguistic and dramatic shifts in the dialogue highlight themes of love and wisdom, showcasing Socrates' philosophical intervention in steering love towards truth rather than exploitation.
Aristotle's Insights on Friendship
Aristotle's treatise on friendship in the Nicomachean Ethics emphasizes three types of friendship rooted in utility, pleasure, and virtue. The rarity and depth of true friendship, exclusive to virtuous individuals aiming for the good of others, is discussed alongside the importance of equality and shared activities.
Christian Revelation and Friendship
Christian perspectives on love and friendship are explored, challenging misconceptions of pagan versus Christian love. The theological concept of friendship with God, enriched through Christ's teaching and the synthesis of natural and sacrificial love, is highlighted as fulfilling classical reflections on friendship.
Practical Reflections on Friendship
Practical advice on building virtuous friendships in modern society, especially for young adults in college, is offered. Cultivating virtues, fostering attention, and understanding the essence of given belonging are recommended to navigate the complexities of forming and maintaining meaningful relationships.
This lecture was given on 4 February 2020 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Joshua Hochschild is the Monsignor Robert R. Kline Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University, where he also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he’s been elected to serve as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.
For more information on this and other events go to thomisticinstitute.org/events-1
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