Aristotle on Friendship (Article)

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    It looks like there is some overlap between Epicurus and Aristotle. As far as the third category (of Aristotle), that is addressed by Epicurus in Letter to Menoeceus which recommends to practice together with others.

    The following article covers Aristotle's take:

    Aristotle On the 3 Types of Friendship (and How Each Enriches Life) | Philosophy Break
    There is not one type of friendship, Aristotle argues, but three. The highest type – the friendship of virtue – contributes most to our pursuit of the good…
    philosophybreak.com
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    Kalosyni


    This author used an interesting translation of ‘eudaimonia’ = ‘virtuous flourishing’, but was referring to the Aristolean definition of eudaimonia, which is achieved through virtuous living.

    Wikipedia provides some additional descriptions.

    Quote

    In the works of Aristotle, eudaimonia was the term for the highest human good in older Greek tradition. It is the aim of practical philosophy-prudence, including ethics and political philosophy, to consider and experience what this state really is and how it can be achieved. It is thus a central concept in Aristotelian ethics and subsequent Hellenistic philosophy, along with the terms aretē (most often translated as virtue or excellence) and phronesis('practical or ethical wisdom').[1]

    Patrikios

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    The differences are explained by Diogenes the Oinoandian on his wall inscription, (fragment 32)

    "If, gentlemen, the point at issue between these people and us involved inquiry into «what is the means of happiness?» and they wanted to say «the virtues» (which would actually be true), it would be unnecessary to take any other step than to agree with them about this, without more ado. But since, as I say, the issue is not «what is the means of happiness?» but «what is happiness and what is the ultimate goal of our nature?», I say both now and always, shouting out loudly to all Greeks and non-Greeks, that pleasure is the end of the best mode of life, while the virtues, which are inopportunely messed about by these people (being transferred from the place of the means to that of the end), are in no way an end, but the means to the end."

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    For Epicureans, pleasure is both the beginning (the guide together through prudent reasoning as to why not every pleasure is chosen and not every pain is avoided) ...and the telos.

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