A Friend as “Another Self”
Length: 1500 words
Rationale: A philosophical essay is a paper presenting and defending an argument in response to a question: it is a reasoned and persuasive defence of a thesis. The essay is an opportunity for you to draw and build on the knowledge acquired on the topics studied in the course. Your argument should be grounded in extant scholarship on the topic and therefore research is required.
Task description: This task requires you to write 1600 words essay on one of the essay questions provided below. The essay should have an introduction, a body divided into paragraphs, and conclusions. Research and accurate referencing of all sources used to develop the argument are required for this assessment task. The required referencing style for this course is: Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
Marking criteria
Flows from intro to conclusion; Each paragraph is well-structured containing one argument or topic.
Clear, concise, and enjoyable to read; Very few grammatical or spelling errors
Accurately follows Chicago Manual of Style (footnotes)
Reasoned response to question within framework of discipline
Clear thesis and solid justification
Ability to synthesise and evaluate evidence to support an independent argument/ analysis.
Evidence of independent and comprehensive research
Summarises and evaluates source material
Engages with fundamental concepts or central questions within discipline; makes independent argument
Compares, contrasts and evaluates key theoretical or philosophical perspectives including counter arguments.
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Course and Section
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October 15, 2023
A Friend as “Another Self”
Friends are the people's closest social circle; they rely on them and help someone in their social group when in need. Humans are social creatures, so they tend to find people who have the same characteristics and like them. Although humans are the same species, they have different preferences because, unlike other species, humans are rational. This rationality that humans have makes humans much more intelligent, thus choosing a specific group of people to be called a friend. In one of his seminal works, Aristotle stated that a friend is regarded as "another self," which is closely interwoven in his writings on Nicomachean Ethics, which deals with the notion of a "good life." However, humans are incredibly distinctive, and no two people are alike, making this expression profound. Cultural and societal aspects must also be considered since they impact our perceptions of attractiveness and influence our preferences. As we will see, attraction is not a one-size-fits-all phenomenon but a complex interaction of individual, environmental, and cultural factors. This article wants to grasp better the intricate tapestry of human attraction and the vast array of elements that contribute to the ties humans make with people by investigating these hypotheses. In this article, the author will investigate, develop, and go deeper into the term friend as "another self" and assess and evaluate if sameness or difference is necessary for building a connection.
Discussion
To start this discussion, knowing the meaning of friendship is essential. Friendship is a highly valued and varied social connection with several meanings and experiences. Friendship may be defined as a mutually consensual and loving connection between two or more people. It entails sentiments of trust, comprehension, empathy, and companionship. This connection is deep and sometimes happens unconsciously and synchronously.
Accordingly, when individuals look for friends, they first inspect the person to determine whether they have the same likes and opinions; this is known as "finding people with the same vibes." This is especially true inside the confines of schools and universities, where youth build and create social circles. Some students like to cluster around classmates who they believe share their interests, views, and preferences, forming several circles of friends. During adolescence, it is essential to build peer connections to connect with others and achieve a sense of "Eudaimonia."
One interesting concept that must be noted in line with this is the term Eudaimonia. This term was created by Aristotle in his works on "Nicomacean Ethics," often translated to happiness and flourishing. Aristotle is talking about this happiness when a person achieves their life's ultimate goal: living virtuously with a purpose and living rationally, which can result in a sense of "good life" (Aristotle 350 B.C.E). With