The Nicomachean Ethics Book 9, Chapter 5 (1166b30-1167a20) Summary

  • Aristotle steers the convo toward marks or signs of friendship.
  • Good will is like friendship, but not really. It can be felt for people we don't even know.
  • Friendly affection isn't good will, since affection implies a kind of desire for someone.
  • Goodwill might more properly be called the gateway to friendship—we need to be kindly disposed toward someone before becoming good friends with them.
  • Goodwill may make us wish good things for others, but it doesn't really motivate us to help them to achieve those things, the way friendship does.
  • It's also based on what is good or just. We're not into goodwill for what we can get out of it.