Mark Zuckerberg recently suggested that AI chatbots could help combat social isolation by serving as ‘friends’ for people experiencing loneliness. He cited statistics indicating that many Americans feel they don’t have enough close relationships. While this idea might seem appealing, it’s worth examining through the lens of Aristotle’s philosophical insights on friendship.
Aristotle considered true friendship essential for ‘eudaimonia,’ or human flourishing and well-being. In his work Nicomachean Ethics, he argued that friends are crucial for ethical living, happiness, and personal fulfillment. According to Aristotle, friendships provide emotional support, help cultivate virtues, and create a sense of security. Empirical evidence supports this view, with studies showing that having close friends is associated with better mental health and overall happiness.
Aristotle’s Three Tiers of Friendship
Aristotle identified three types of friendships: those based on utility, pleasure, and virtue. Friendships of utility are based on mutual benefit and often dissolve when one party no longer benefits. Friendships of pleasure revolve around shared interests and can be transient. The highest form, virtuous friendships, are based on mutual respect for each other’s character and involve a deep commitment to each other’s well-being and moral development.
Virtuous friendships, according to Aristotle, are stable, enduring, and facilitate personal growth. They provide a ‘mirror’ for individuals to reflect on their actions and decisions, encouraging the cultivation of virtues like honesty, generosity, and compassion. Aristotle believed that these friendships challenge individuals to become better versions of themselves.
The Limitations of AI ‘Friendships’
By Aristotle’s standards, AI chatbots cannot be considered true friends. While they may provide useful information or engage in lighthearted conversation, they lack the qualities that define virtuous friendships. AI is incapable of genuine reciprocity or mutual concern; it doesn’t truly care about individuals or engage in the shared pursuit of the good life. Aristotle’s concept of friendship involves a shared journey toward eudaimonia, which requires the kind of moral development that only human beings can experience.
It’s more accurate to view AI as a tool, similar to a shovel or rake, that can improve certain aspects of life but cannot replace human friendships. While AI might offer temporary companionship, it cannot provide the depth of connection and personal growth that virtuous friendships offer. In fact, relying on AI for emotional support might even exacerbate feelings of isolation if it creates a false sense of connection.
The discussion around AI and loneliness should serve as a reminder of the importance of fostering real friendships in an increasingly disconnected world. By understanding and valuing the depth of human connection that Aristotle described, we can better appreciate the limitations of AI ‘friendships’ and the need to cultivate meaningful relationships with others.
