Analysis of Nicomachean Ethics and Friendship Anonymous 12th Grade

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics serves as a guidebook to living a relatively moral life. In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle placed an emphasis on friendship—what it is, it's different types, and its requirements—within two books. Aristotle then ties the book together with its main theme of happiness, what it is and how to achieve it, in the final book of Ethics. Friendship is implanted exactly where it is in the Nicomachean Ethics to give an example and easy pathway to happiness. Aristotle’s purpose of writing the Ethics was to discuss how to be a virtuous person. Secondly, Aristotle placed a significant amount on emphasis of friendship within two books as it corresponds with attaining happiness. Lastly, the final book of the Nicomachean Ethics illustrates where happiness and pleasure lie in, and Aristotle demonstrates where friendship lies within it as well.

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics was written in about 340 BC, and its primary focus was the highest attainable good: happiness. Aristotle states in Book I that happiness is “the good, that is to say, the best good[1]” and that everyone is striving to achieve it. Happiness is attainable by virtue and good habits.

Books VII and IX of Aristotle’s Ethics discusses friendship....