What is the value of friendship? Why is it hard for adults to make and keep friends?

In this class, we will delve into the nature of friendship, examining its importance in our lives and the challenges of forming and maintaining meaningful connections. We will explore the philosophy of friendship and its importance in our lives. Throughout history, friendships have played a vital role in human relationships and social structures. Aristotle famously defined friendship as a type of virtue, and throughout the centuries, philosophers, theologians, and scholars have explored the nature of friendship and its relationship to personal fulfillment, morality, and social order.

Despite the enduring importance of friendship, the nature of friendships has changed throughout history. In ancient times, friendship was often regarded as a key component of a virtuous life, and was valued for its ability to promote personal and social well-being. In more recent times, technological advances have transformed how we form and maintain friendships and have introduced new challenges and complexities to the social landscape.

Through guided discussion, we will examine the changing nature of friendship, exploring how cultural and societal factors impact our understanding of friendship and how we can navigate the challenges and complexities of forming and maintaining meaningful connections in our modern world.

Readings for this class:

Using one short book, "How to Be a Friend: An Ancient Guide to True Friendship,” (Cicero)

And two Atlantic articles on friendship:

It’s Your Friends Who Break Your Heart, Jennifer Senior (Feb. 29, 2022)*

Why Making Friends in Midlife Is So Hard, Katharine Smyth (January 12, 2022)*

(articles will also be sent by PDF by the instructor)

Together, we will explore the complexities of friendship through in-depth discussion and reflection.

What to expect in the class:

This two-hour session will be both stimulating and thought-provoking and will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the power and beauty of friendship.

Questions we’ll examine in the discussion:

• How can we form and maintain meaningful connections with others?

• What are the challenges and complexities of friendship?

• How do cultural and societal factors impact our understanding of friendship?

• How can we navigate conflicts and misunderstandings in our friendships?

• How has technology impacted our ability to form and maintain friendships?

• How can we apply the wisdom and insights presented in these books to our own lives and relationships?

• How can we differentiate between healthy and unhealthy friendships, and how can we decide when to end a friendship?

Class date and time

Sunday, April 9th
4:00-6:00PM PST