Pondering Over Camaraderie: The Bond Among Dissimilar, Not Among Relatives
In the early stages of the Coronavirus outbreak, President Sergio Mattarella demonstrated solidarity with the Chinese people, expressing friendship during a time of concern and fear. Premier Xi Jinping responded, acknowledging the sentiment, stating, "True friendship is seen in times of need." As the pandemic continues to impact global communities, it raises questions about how friendship can influence our daily lives in such challenging times.
Initial reactions to contagion often involve discrimination, suspicion, and a search for scapegoats. However, as more individuals are called upon to be responsible for the health of others, social contacts begin to thin out while relationships of mutual aid and solidarity are established. This form of friendship, rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, is known as philia—a complex term that generally denotes a freely chosen relationship, independent from family bonds. Despite being philoi, or friends, with relatives, such connections are formed through personal choice rather than familial ties.
One well-known example of this kind of friendship can be found in Greek mythology, with Orestes and Pylades. Though Orestes' relationship with his mother was marked by enmity, he found a true family with Pylades, based on their mutual friendship. This ancient concept of friendship was central in the philosophical reflections of great thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero, and it is important to revisit the true meaning of philia to better understand its many nuances.
Pietro Del Soldà connects the idea of friendship to communal living in his new book, "On the Wings of Friends: A Philosophy of Encounter" (Marsilio). Del Soldà explores the roots of friendship by examining the words of Socrates in the Lysis: "I ardently desire to have friends. I believe that I would much rather have a friend than the gold of Darius, so much do I love friendship." But, Socrates raises the question of whether we choose friends based on similarities or differences that allow us to fill gaps in our lives.
While the Greeks viewed friendship as a vital part of their political lives, modern society tends to regard it as a private matter. Del Soldå argues that considering friendship as a relationship between diverse individuals, rather than like-minded ones, helps prevent narcissism and promotes a broader, communal spirit. The reader may ponder whether this concept can offer guidance as we navigate the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
In this philosophical reflection, Pietro Del Soldà suggests that friendship, as a relationship between diverse individuals, can help prevent narcissism and promote a communal spirit, which might serve as guidance in navigating the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic. This emphasis on diverse connections aligns with the concept of philia, an ancient Greek term for a freely chosen relationship, where relationships of mutual aid and solidarity are formed independently from family bonds.
