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Philia and Agape: Ancient Greek Ethics of Friendship and Christian Theology of Love

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Love and Friendship Across Cultures

Abstract

Based on a philosophical interpretation of the Ancient concepts, philia and agape, the present contribution offers a comparative study of the ancient Greek ethics of friendship and the Christian theology of love. While the former tradition understands philia as a finite relationship between human selves within a sociopolitical context, agape is regarded by the latter tradition as the bond of love which God grants all humans who believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Despite the fundamental differences between the two conceptions of love, they converge at one point, namely in the caring concern for the stranger, who humans are called upon to receive in hospitality.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Nygren (1936–1938, 11–20, 57–58).

  2. 2.

    For critical comments on Nygren’s account of eros, see Armstrong (1961), Rist (1964), Osbourne (1994), White (2004).

  3. 3.

    Eberhard Jüngel offers a different account of the Christian conception of love and raises doubts about Nygren’s clear-cut distinction between eros and agape, see Jüngel (1977, pp. 434–436). A thorough discussion of Nygren’s and Jüngel’s studies on love can be found in Jeanrod (2010, pp. 27–30).

  4. 4.

    Using Prodikos as an example, Dover offers a detailed account of eros as a double desire, see Dover (1989, p. 43).

  5. 5.

    Nicomachean Ethics IX, 9, 1171 a.

  6. 6.

    Nicomachean Ethics VIII, 1, 1155 a.

  7. 7.

    Nietzsche, Jenseits von Gut und Böse, 46; see also Nygren (1936–1938, p. 6) and Jüngel (1999, p. 1).

  8. 8.

    Benveniste (1969, pp. 335–353).

  9. 9.

    Herman (2002, p. 6).

  10. 10.

    Benveniste (1969, p. 343), Herman (2002, p. 50), Konstan (1999, p. 33).

  11. 11.

    Lysis 221e–222a.

  12. 12.

    Nichols (2009, pp. 115–117, 150–152).

  13. 13.

    Politics 1261 b.

  14. 14.

    Nicomachean Ethics VIII, 1, 1155 a.

  15. 15.

    Idem.

  16. 16.

    MacIntyre (2000, p. 155).

  17. 17.

    Nicomachean Ethics I, 7, 1099a.

  18. 18.

    Nicomachean Ethics IX, 9, 1169b–1170a.

  19. 19.

    Lysis 215a–b; Nicomachean Ethics IX, 9, 1169b.

  20. 20.

    Nicomachean Ethics IX, 4, 1166a.

  21. 21.

    Nicomachean Ethics I, 7, 1097b (slightly modified translation).

  22. 22.

    Magna Moralia 1213a.

  23. 23.

    Nicomachean Ethics VIII, 1, 1155a.

  24. 24.

    Nicomachean Ethics VIII, 5, 1157b.

  25. 25.

    Poetics 14, 1453b.

  26. 26.

    Nygren (1936–1938, p. 30).

  27. 27.

    Luke 10:25–37.

  28. 28.

    Matthew 6:3.

  29. 29.

    Jacob’s Letter 1:8.

  30. 30.

    Romans 7:19.

  31. 31.

    John 10:9, 14:6.

  32. 32.

    Nicomachean Ethics IX, 8–9, 1168b–1170b.

  33. 33.

    Søren Kierkegaard, Works of Love, II C.

  34. 34.

    Hebrews 13:2.

  35. 35.

    See Hiltbrunner (2005, pp. 164–165).

  36. 36.

    Nicomachean Ethics, VIII, 1, 1155a.

  37. 37.

    Eudemian Ethics 1239b.

  38. 38.

    Matthew 18:20.

  39. 39.

    Matthew 26:17–30.

  40. 40.

    Augustine (2008), Book 4, “Death of a dear friend”; Aquinas (1969, vol. 29, q 9, a. 1 ad 2).

  41. 41.

    Steve Summers has elaborated further on the significance of hospitality for the Christian theology of love, see especially Chap. 7 in Friendship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. San Jorge University, Zaragoza, Spain

    Jonas Holst

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  1. Jonas Holst
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Correspondence to Jonas Holst .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, Facult of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Soraj Hongladarom

  2. Department of Philosophy, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines

    Jeremiah Joven Joaquin

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Holst, J. (2021). Philia and Agape: Ancient Greek Ethics of Friendship and Christian Theology of Love. In: Hongladarom, S., Joaquin, J.J. (eds) Love and Friendship Across Cultures. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4834-9_4

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