We learn about the unhealthy and shallow depiction of “soul friendships” in mainstream films and literature:
“Type soulfriends, or even worse “soulmate” into an internet search engine and some of the most syrupy aphorisms on friendship will be returned for your edification… the trouble with this sentimental haze and commodification is that it cheapens an idea of enormous human value: the spirituality of friendship is not something that can simply be ceded to the market” (p. 222).
In this week’s reading material, the following philosophers discuss their views on this topic: Saint Augustine, Aristotle, Plato, Kierkegaard, Kant and Thomas of Aquinas. Make sure to incorporate their views as you answer each discussion question. Think about how their views may be similar or different from your own. In at least 350 words total, please answer each of the following, drawing upon your reading materials and your personal insight. Please be sure that you do not provide names of people or identifying characteristics of the workplace.
- What is your own perception of how the media fosters unhealthy models of friendship through film and television? Please provide an example from either a book or a film. What is our ethical responsibility in terms of challenging and questioning these mainstream notions of friendship?
Vernon, M. (2010). The Meaning of Friendship. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Chapter 5: Unconditional Love
- Chapter 8: The Spirituality of Friendship
- De Amicitia – On Friendship. Cicero (Links to an external site.) (1923). Retrieved from http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cicero/Laelius_de_Amicitia/text*.html
