Ku filozofii przyjaźni. W dialogu z Platonem, Arystotelesem i św. Teresą od Jezusa (część III)

Abstract

The article constitutes the third part our study of the philosophy of friendship. It presents a sort of dialogue between three great experts in this field: Plato, Aristotle and St Teresa of Avila. They gave testimony to the central place of the idea of friendship in their respective times, and they help modernity to retrieve it. The first point in the third part of this study takes up again the question of the interpersonal relationships, and, specifically, describes various types of friendship (3.4). St Teresa distinguishes only two types of friendship, whereas Aristotle speaks of three. Their reflections have an existential value in that they help us to distinguish authentic from inauthentic forms of friendship. The study proceeds by considering friendship as virtue (3.5) and friendship as affection (or passion) (3.6). These two concepts are fundamental for understanding friendship as such. The first (virtue) brings out the ideal signifi cance of friendship. The second (passion) speaks of its significance in reality. These meanings are distinct, but not opposed. The final point of this study, and the final element in the dialogue between Teresa and Aristotle, picks up again the question of the two related but distinct concepts, namely “friendship” and “love” (3.7). Aristotle and Teresa are in agreement that “friendship” and “love” are not identical: at times they are very close, but at times their meanings are quite distant. Aristotle speaks more of friendship (because of its political significance for the polis); Teresa on the other hand stresses more the significance of love (because of its significance for spousal relationship with God). In the light of this discussion of the relationship between Aristotle and Teresa, allows us to draw certain conclusions: namely, that their understandings of friendship are very close, but Teresa’s vision does not depend on Aristotle’s in a slavish way. Teresa, living many centuries after Aristotle, benefits from Aristotle’s discoveries but goes beyond them by developing her own position. This Teresian understanding is seen above all in the possibility of friendship with God, and in the erotic significance of love in human life.