Abstract

This paper compares Aristotle’s theory of friendship with that of Confucius and Mencius. It shows that all of them are concerned with how friendship is related to virtuous cultivation. In light of Aristotle’s taxonomy of friendship, I argue that Aristotle’s utility and pleasure friendship would not be considered friendship for Confucians. Although Confucians’ discussion of friendship is not as systematic and theorized as Aristotle, Confucius’ biography and his relationship with his disciples show a vivid picture and idea of Confucian friendship. I also argue that Confucians’ emphasis on trustworthiness and familism in his theory of friendship and Aristotle’s stress of equality among friends can be mutually supplementary. In view of such comparison, I argue that while the family relationship is important in the formation of one’s virtuous character which is conducive to making virtue friendship, friendships can be considered a bridge between family and civil society in cultivating civic virtues.