Friendship without Reciprocation? Aristotle, Nietzsche and Blanchot

Abstract

Must friendship involve reciprocity? Drawing on resources in the thought of Aristotle, Nietzsche, and Blanchot this article advances two claims. First, there isn’t simply one form of reciprocity but various forms. The article names two such forms. ‘Reciprocity as exchange’ casts reciprocation as active and involves exchange of benefits in a recognized cycle. In contrast, ‘reciprocity as correspondence’ tolerates degrees of inactivity and connects friends by mutual admiration or commonality of purpose. Second, the article claims that whilst reciprocation is a feature of some friendships it is not necessary to all. It is possible to conceive of friendship without reciprocation. In these alternative friendships it is the separateness of the friends rather than their togetherness which is central. The article concludes that this minor strand of reciprocation suggests a form of political friendship based around a common heterogeneity, difference, and otherness.