Friendship and Trust

Friendship is a necessary aspect of every human 's life, as we are not self sufficient in and of ourselves (Other Selves, pg. 30). Despite its necessity, in some cases we are either forced or morally required to end these relationships. When the trust between two parties has been broken, the loyalty of the friendship is soiled, and it is therefore a true and just action to end the friendship. First, let 's define what it means to be a friend. Friends can be described as: "an intimate associate, reliable, one who is not an enemy or foe, an ally, etc" (Webster 's, pg. 540). Thus, based upon the definition of a friend, we can assert that friends should not betray one another, regardless of the circumstance. This is true, if and only if, it is in the best interest of the friend. Secondly, trust is an issue that every platonic friendship must deal with. Whether dealing with matters of trust is active or passive, its power is still a prevalent and pertinent quality that is mutually understood. Trust is an unwritten rule between friends and is defined as the "firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability, justice, etc of another person." (Webster 's, pg. 1436) Trust is also described as "faith"(Webster 's, pg. 1436). When using a word such as "faith," that describes a substantial belief in one another, it is very difficult to argue that breaking the trust of the friendship is ever in the best interest of the friend. In addition, friends are loyal. By definition loyal friends are, "faithful to those persons ideals" and are, "under obligation to defend, support, or be true to," each other (Webster 's, pg. 802). Although the definitions of loyalty, as well as its connotations, scream commitment loyalty actually exists in many degrees. Loyalty can be seen as the pinnacle of the friendship in which case you would be willing to risk life and limb for that person. Or at the opposite end of the spectrum loyalty may not be taken seriously

Cited: Aristotle. "Nicomachean Ethics Books VII and IX". Other Selves Philosophers on Friendship. Ed. Pakaluk, Michael. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 1991. pg. 30 Webster 's New World College Dictionary (Third Edition). Hudson: Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1996. pg. 540, 1436