Cultivating Virtuous Friendship as a Model for Teaching Peace Positively

Abstract

The main objective is to show how relations of virtuous friendship are an effective strategy for teaching peace. The basis for this assertion is the Aristotelean proposal that differentiates between perfect friendship, which is virtuous and seeks what is good for the friend, and secondary friendships whose goal is utility and pleasure. Virtuous friends seek to help the friend acquire virtue. Moreover, it highlights the need to accept that we are people with a nature that needs refinement and to accept the innate characteristics each person is born with. This two-fold acceptance is necessary to accept and love the friend as oneself, and whom to help be virtuous. Thus, it also requires understanding the importance of inner personal harmony to avoid conflicts as a condition of virtuous friendship.