Rachel Lipson
Philosophy 325
Professor Sher
02/07/2018
Journal 2
Question: Should contribution to your own well-being be the sole factor used to wisely
determine who should or should not be your friend?
In order to begin answering this question, the definition of well-being must be
established. Something that can contribute to one’s well-being must be healthy, safe and
positive; healthy in that it does not make one physically, mentally, or emotionally ill, safe in that
it will not bring one harm or danger, and positive in that it will affect one immediately or at a
later point in one’s life, in a beneficial way. Therefore, well-being is a state of good health,
safety, and positivity.
Aristotle articulated three types of friendship: friendships of pleasure, friendships of
utility, and friendships of virtue. In my opinion, however, all three of these types of friendships
do contribute to one’s well-being.
Friendships of pleasure bring happiness and joy to one’s life. Even though this type of
friend may not be one you can depend on in a time of need, one can rely on them to bring
them happiness when they are together. Friendships of utility can contribute to one’s well-
being by bringing positive functional aspects into the relationship. Lastly, friendships of virtue
contribute to well-being by encouraging each other to remain good people, and promote
growth, in all aspects of life.
I bring Aristotle’s definitions of the varying friendships into my consideration of this
question because it’s important to outline the different types and give value to each of them.
With all this being said, I believe that contribution to one’s own well-being is crucial in
determining who is a friend and who is not. If the contribution, or lack thereof, from one person
to another does not meet all three requirements of what makes up well-being, then they
cannot be considered a friend.
One who brings another harm or danger, or brings one down emotionally or is abusive,
or who is negative towards another, should not be categorized as a friend. By the same token,
someone who meets all three of these requirements, and nothing less, can be a friend, if one so
chooses.
It is important to not be mistaken while interpreting these requirements. For instance,
two people that do drugs together, may consider themselves friends, and may have false
feelings of happiness or joy during their using together, but using drugs is unsafe and
unhealthy, and therefore this person is not contributing to one’s own well-being.
It is also important to keep in mind that friendship must be reciprocal. If one person is
contributing to another’s well-being, but the other is not, then the relationship is parasitic and
should not be maintained.
Philosophy 325
Professor Sher
02/07/2018
Journal 2
Question: Should contribution to your own well-being be the sole factor used to wisely
determine who should or should not be your friend?
In order to begin answering this question, the definition of well-being must be
established. Something that can contribute to one’s well-being must be healthy, safe and
positive; healthy in that it does not make one physically, mentally, or emotionally ill, safe in that
it will not bring one harm or danger, and positive in that it will affect one immediately or at a
later point in one’s life, in a beneficial way. Therefore, well-being is a state of good health,
safety, and positivity.
Aristotle articulated three types of friendship: friendships of pleasure, friendships of
utility, and friendships of virtue. In my opinion, however, all three of these types of friendships
do contribute to one’s well-being.
Friendships of pleasure bring happiness and joy to one’s life. Even though this type of
friend may not be one you can depend on in a time of need, one can rely on them to bring
them happiness when they are together. Friendships of utility can contribute to one’s well-
being by bringing positive functional aspects into the relationship. Lastly, friendships of virtue
contribute to well-being by encouraging each other to remain good people, and promote
growth, in all aspects of life.
I bring Aristotle’s definitions of the varying friendships into my consideration of this
question because it’s important to outline the different types and give value to each of them.
With all this being said, I believe that contribution to one’s own well-being is crucial in
determining who is a friend and who is not. If the contribution, or lack thereof, from one person
to another does not meet all three requirements of what makes up well-being, then they
cannot be considered a friend.
One who brings another harm or danger, or brings one down emotionally or is abusive,
or who is negative towards another, should not be categorized as a friend. By the same token,
someone who meets all three of these requirements, and nothing less, can be a friend, if one so
chooses.
It is important to not be mistaken while interpreting these requirements. For instance,
two people that do drugs together, may consider themselves friends, and may have false
feelings of happiness or joy during their using together, but using drugs is unsafe and
unhealthy, and therefore this person is not contributing to one’s own well-being.
It is also important to keep in mind that friendship must be reciprocal. If one person is
contributing to another’s well-being, but the other is not, then the relationship is parasitic and
should not be maintained.
