Introduction
Human relationships form the fabric of society, and how these relationships are understood has been a focal point for thinkers throughout history. From ancient philosophers like Aristotle to modern theorists like Sigmund Freud, the question of how individuals relate to one another, and how they negotiate the tension between personal desires and collective responsibilities, has remained a key issue.
Aristotle’s concept of civic friendship and Freud’s psychoanalytical insights into human behaviour offer distinct, yet complementary, perspectives on the relationship between the individual and society. Both thinkers explore the role of truth in shaping ethical and psychological health, whether through Aristotle’s focus on intellectual virtues or Freud’s insistence on confronting the hidden truths of the unconscious mind.
In this post, we will examine the common ground between Aristotle and Freud, focusing on their views of civic bonds, the role of truth, and the ways in which both thinkers believe that personal well-being is inextricably linked to the social structures around us.
Aristotle’s Civic Friendship: A Shared Commitment to the Common Good
Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers of ancient Greece, approached human relationships as fundamental to the good life. In his work Nicomachean Ethics, he identifies three types of friendship: those based on utility, those based on pleasure, and those based on virtue. Among these, the highest form of friendship is one that is grounded in virtue, where individuals value each other not for personal gain, but for the goodness they see in one another.
Civic friendship, or philia politikē, is an extension of virtuous friendship to the political realm. Aristotle saw this as essential for the stability and well-being of the city-state (polis). Civic friendship is not based on emotional closeness, but on mutual respect and a shared commitment to justice and the common good. In this kind of relationship, individuals bond over a collective concern for the welfare of their community, understanding that their personal interests are best served when the community flourishes.
In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle famously states that in a virtuous society, “everything is held in common.” This reflects his belief that true friendship within a political community is built on shared values and goals, rather than individualistic pursuits. It is through civic friendship that citizens transcend their personal desires and work towards a greater good, recognising that they are part of something larger than themselves.
Aristotle’s civic friendship is, therefore, not only a personal virtue but a cornerstone of political life. It enables citizens to form strong, cohesive societies where mutual trust and ethical behaviour form the foundation of communal living. For Aristotle, without this shared commitment to the common good, the very fabric of society would unravel.
Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents: The Struggle Between Individual Desires and Society
Fast forward to the early 20th century, and we encounter Sigmund Freud, a thinker whose ideas on the human psyche reshaped our understanding of human behaviour. Freud approached relationships not from the standpoint of virtue, but from the perspective of psychological conflict. For Freud, human beings are driven by powerful unconscious forces, particularly the instincts of aggression and sexual desire. These primal urges often come into conflict with the demands of civilization, which requires individuals to repress these instincts in order to live harmoniously in society.
In his seminal work Civilization and Its Discontents, Freud explores the tension between the individual and society, arguing that civilization imposes constraints on our natural instincts. While these constraints are necessary for the functioning of society, they also lead to internal conflict, repression, and feelings of guilt. The superego, Freud argues, internalises societal norms and exerts pressure on the individual to conform, often at the cost of personal happiness.
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory suggests that social bonds are formed not just through mutual respect, as Aristotle would argue, but through psychological mechanisms that compel individuals to suppress their desires for the sake of the collective good. This tension between individual desire and societal expectations creates a sense of dissatisfaction, or discontent, within individuals, as they struggle to reconcile their personal needs with the demands of civilization.
Despite this more conflictual view of society, Freud does not reject the importance of social bonds. In fact, he introduces the concept of Eros, or the life drive, which he sees as a force that binds individuals together and encourages cooperation, love, and community. Eros can be seen as the psychological counterpart to Aristotle’s civic friendship, as both thinkers recognise that human beings are fundamentally social creatures who need to form connections with others in order to thrive.
Truth as an Ethical and Psychological Virtue: Aristotle’s Phronesis and Freud’s Confrontation of the Unconscious
While Aristotle and Freud approach human relationships from different angles—one ethical, the other psychological—both share a deep commitment to the idea that truth is essential for human flourishing. For Aristotle, truthfulness is an intellectual virtue, essential for making sound judgments and living a life of virtue. In Nicomachean Ethics, he emphasises the importance of phronesis or practical wisdom, which requires individuals to engage with reality as it is, rather than as they wish it to be. In order to live ethically, one must understand the truth about the world and about oneself.
Aristotle’s focus on truth extends to the realm of civic friendship. A healthy political community depends on the trust that comes from truthfulness. Citizens must be honest with each other and with themselves if they are to form the kind of bonds that enable them to work together for the common good. In this sense, truth is not just a personal virtue but a social one—without it, the ethical foundation of civic life crumbles.
Freud, though operating in a different domain, also places great importance on truth, particularly the truths hidden in the unconscious mind. In his psychoanalytic framework, repressed desires and unacknowledged conflicts can lead to neurosis and emotional distress. Freud’s goal in therapy is to bring these hidden truths to the surface, allowing individuals to confront and integrate them into their conscious awareness. By facing the often uncomfortable truths about their desires and motivations, individuals can achieve a greater sense of psychological well-being.
Freud’s famous phrase, “Where id was, there shall ego be,” encapsulates this process of bringing the unconscious into the light of reason. In many ways, this mirrors Aristotle’s emphasis on practical wisdom—both thinkers suggest that understanding and confronting reality, whether external or internal, is key to living a balanced and fulfilling life.
The Role of Truth in Social Bonds: A Shared Understanding
What unites Aristotle and Freud’s perspectives on truth is the idea that human beings must engage honestly with reality in order to form healthy relationships—whether those relationships are between citizens in a political community or between different parts of the self. For Aristotle, truth is a public virtue, essential for the functioning of society. For Freud, truth is a psychological necessity, crucial for the individual’s mental health.
In both cases, truth is not just about factual accuracy, but about an alignment with reality. Aristotle’s citizens must be truthful in their dealings with each other if they are to maintain civic friendship, while Freud’s patients must be truthful with themselves if they are to achieve psychological harmony. In this way, truth operates as a force that binds both individuals and societies together, creating the conditions for flourishing.
Bringing Aristotle and Freud Together: Civic Friendship and Psychological Insight
By examining Aristotle’s and Freud’s views on human relationships and truth, we can see that, despite their different approaches, both thinkers are concerned with how individuals relate to the larger structures around them. Aristotle’s concept of civic friendship focuses on the ethical bonds that hold a community together, while Freud’s psychoanalytical theory explores the psychological forces that drive human behaviour and the need for individuals to reconcile their desires with social expectations.
At the heart of both systems is the idea that truth—whether it is the truth about one’s inner desires or the truth about the ethical responsibilities of citizenship—is essential for well-being. For Aristotle, truth enables individuals to act virtuously and contribute to the common good, while for Freud, truth is the key to personal liberation and psychological health.
By integrating Aristotle’s civic friendship with Freud’s psychoanalytical insights, we can see that human flourishing depends on both ethical clarity and psychological awareness. Whether we are navigating the complexities of political life or the depths of the unconscious, the pursuit of truth remains central to our ability to form meaningful connections with others and live fulfilling lives.
Conclusion: The Virtue of Truth in Ancient Philosophy and Modern Psychology
Aristotle and Freud, despite their different historical contexts and intellectual frameworks, share a fundamental belief in the importance of truth. Aristotle’s civic friendship highlights the role of truth in fostering mutual respect and cooperation within a political community, while Freud’s psychoanalysis reveals the necessity of confronting the truths of the unconscious in order to achieve psychological balance.
Both thinkers remind us that truth is not a passive concept, but an active virtue that requires individuals to engage honestly with themselves and with the world around them. Whether in the ethical realm of civic life or the psychological realm of personal development, truth is the foundation upon which healthy relationships—and, by extension, healthy societies—are built.
In a world that often prioritises individualism and subjective experience, Aristotle and Freud offer a powerful reminder of the value of truth, both as a personal virtue and as a social force. By pursuing truth in our relationships, in our communities, and within ourselves, we can cultivate the kinds of bonds that lead to a more harmonious and fulfilling life.
Footnote:
At our online therapy clinic, we offer support through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy to help individuals navigate personal challenges and achieve emotional well-being. Whether you’re looking to explore deeper truths about yourself or seeking practical strategies to manage your thoughts and behaviours, our therapists are here to guide you. We believe that understanding the balance between personal desires and societal expectations, much like Freud and Aristotle explored, is essential for personal growth and harmony. Reach out today to begin your journey towards better mental health.
By Ari Sotiriou M.A. psychodynamic psychotherapist co-founder Online Therapy Clinic