Socrates and his views of friendship.

So I can assume that many loners are good then can I? lol. We are a societal species by default, so how can we possibly grow and function as human beings without companionship or interaction with others? Having friends for the gaining of benefits is a true reflection, sure; but these benefits gained are give and take and by no means negative in most instances! Socrates statements come across as negative in this context and imply that the seeking of friendship is nothing but a selfish act on the part of a person that is lacking as an individual. It's certainly not a theory that holds any sway with me at all.

If I am to go by this quote only, I strongly disagree. But that wouldn't be fair for I am sure this didn't come in segregation. There must have been some pre context to this. And judging without the context would be wrong. I feel, friendship is beautiful and above with all those benefits that Socrates was talking about. Inderdependence and sharing and lending help to each other is what it is about. And we do not go around doing this for all! They have to have the love, bond, mutual trust and respect without which friendship doesn't happen. Thanks for sharing Socrates with us. While reading through it, I am full of apprehensions of the time he was living. Don't you feel how similar that time was to our time? Today, friends and friendship is much profaned and we tend to take this so loosely. We have lost what it takes to be a good friend. We can hurt each others sentiments with the slight improprieties coming from him! Socrates argued the same! It was obvious that he was left with any faith with the term fellowship. He sounded bitter, cynical and sad. He was an atheist, a rebel with his own beliefs and principles who was charged of leading the youth in wrong direction. The adage only confirms that.

Well friendship is the core relationship in which the benefits are the byproducts. One cannot shun a true friendship as it becomes beneficial.The issue here is the reason for which you are friendly with a person.Is the friendship is for friendship sake or benefit shake?

I need my friends therefore I am not good? I have not read this dialogue or a lot more from Socrates but I am just thinking that maybe we need to focus on what he defines here as "good" instead of the nature of friendship. Maybe he sees "good" as self-sufficient? I do agree with him for the most part though. I think in whatever relationship we put ourselves into, we still do benefit from them. If not for the company then the heartwarming feeling we get from doing things for our friends.

I would say that realistically speaking, Socrates is speaking the truth. Most people do not seek genuine friendship. They seek friends for company, to have a shoulder to cry one, to have someone to talk to. These are in fact benefits on the part of the person who sought friends.