Aretaic Friendship: A Multidisciplinary Enquiry

Friendship catalyzes personal growth, nurturing excellence, virtue, and spiritual enlightenment. Various forms of friendships offer distinct benefits in specific contexts. This article explores the often-overlooked aretaic friendship, distinguishing it from other friendship types and elucidating its cultivation process. The word aretaic comes from the Greek arete-virtue. This article uses the term aretaic friendship to characterize virtue- and character-based friendships. It considers the physiological, psychological, and societal benefits of friendships, focusing on the unique qualities of aretaic friendships and how they empower individuals to pursue greatness collectively and contribute to a flourishing society. What sets this article apart is the collaborative effort of a multidisciplinary research team comprising scholars from diverse fields, including education, medical science, psychology, information technology, philosophy, and theology.