Friendship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Friendship - Essay ExampleIt was non a pleasant experience because we were strangers to one another. even out though my uncle was not happy about our lack of knowledge of each other, he introduced us as first full cousins after which we became friends. I was also subject to meet other cousins during my stay in the city but my experience with this particular cousin has grown beyond any other personal relationship that I have had and I, in this paper, look at friendship and the extent to which Aksts writing applies to friendship and possible deviations. Basis of friendships Akst, in his article, noted Aristotles explanation of three forms of friendship those based on usefulness (contacts), on pleasure (drinking buddies), and on a shared pursuit of virtue the highest form of either (Akst, 24). Our friendship developed from shared goals and dreams that we aspired to achieve in the future. The only contrasting aspect that existed between my cousin and I was our preferred profession s. My cousin preferred a business career. He was a self-proclaimed businessperson and believed that business was the only key that could unlock his fortunes. On the contrary, I had education-oriented goals. I aimed at working hard in school to secure good grades that would qualify me to attend top ranking universities in the country. We however shared common goals despite the different paths that we chose to our respective success. A reflection, ten years later, of our friendship echoes Aksts point that friendship built on shared pursuit of virtue is the highest form of all existing types of friendship basis. (Akst, 24) Advantages of having friends in the society Wilson in his article addressed the positive implications of friendship. According to Wilson, living in a society of friends has many advantages. Friendship can tone down our behavior and friends help us establish and maintain norms and can tell us if we are running off when others do not notice, will not break the news, o r lack the necessary credibility (in Akst, 26). In any given friendship, there exists a common trait. Personal traits among true friends are eternally in accord in terms of moral beliefs, ethical standards and political or religious affiliations. The pattern of moderation of character in friendship was demonstrate through our relationship. Based on our contrasting success strategies, my cousin opted to venture into business while I pursued my undergraduate studies. Over the years, my cousin fit himself with versatile entrepreneurial skills while I concentrated on my studies. Within a period of two years while I was in college, my cousin was able to establish and run a successful business firm. In his part, my cousin challenged my strategy of success. He argued that I did not have to finish college in order to own a business. My cousin reckoned that I could continue with my studies while operating a small business venture. He was able to instill in me the art and skills of a youn g entrepreneur while I was still pursuing my childhood dream of becoming a scholar. After considering his advice, I started provide the colleges administration with stationeries and later expanded my market to cover the entire college and its environs. It was through our friendship that my cousin moderated my obsession with academic studies and established a renew perspective of business in my character. Friendship concepts overlooked by the author Misunderstandings in friendships In his argument, Akst failed to mention that friendship is not always perfect. His analysis of the concept of friendship overlooked mistakes and misunderstanding among friends. In my personal opinion, mistakes and misunderstanding serve to strengthen friendship. In my relationship with my cousin, we have had