@philosophyminis: What makes somebody a good friend? A great friend? Is it the person who can keep up drinking with you and who makes you roar with laughter? Is it the person who helps you at work or school, and who can keep a secret? Well, maybe. But according to Aristotle, there is one essential ingredient to being a great friend. I've got a friend called Ellie. Now, I don't see Ellie that often because she lives quite far away, and we are both quite busy. But she is a great friend in an Aristotelian sense, because whenever I am sharing a story — a drama, or a confrontation from my life — Ellie is unafraid to call me out. She'll say, 'Jonny, I think you’re the wrong one in this.' Or, 'Jonny, I don't think you are being that kind.' Of course, she won't do this all of the time. But Ellie is fair, she is intelligent, and she's always pushing me to be the best version of myself. Ellie is Aristotle's great friend because she knows who I am, but more importantly, who I could, or I should, be. She knows my vices, and my many shortcomings, of course, but she also knows I can be kind, I can be brave, and I can be hard working, at least some of the time. Aristotle argued that the great friend is one who wants you to flourish. They hate to see you diminish in the corner or suffocate under the world. They want you to succeed, they want you to win, and they want you to burn brightly. So, who are the great friends in your life? Who is it that makes you want to be the best version of yourself?

Jonny Thomson

Open In TikTok:

Region: GB

Thursday 25 June 2026 13:09:55 GMT