Book 9 / Chapter 1
Paragraph 4 - Fair Reciprocity in Gift Exchanges
Explanation - Part By Part
"If the gift was not of this sort, but was made with a view to a return, it is no doubt preferable that the return made should be one that seems fair to both parties,"
In this part, Aristotle is discussing situations where a person gives something not out of pure goodwill or virtue, but with the expectation of receiving something in return. In such cases, it's best if the repayment or compensation feels fair and acceptable to both sides. This fairness ensures that neither party feels shortchanged or taken advantage of in the exchange.
"but if this cannot be achieved, it would seem not only necessary that the person who gets the first service should fix the reward, but also just; for if the other gets in return the equivalent of the advantage the beneficiary has received, or the price he would have paid for the pleasure, he will have got what is fair as from the other."
Aristotle is addressing situations where one person gives something to another with the expectation of receiving something in return, but there’s no clear agreement on what the return should be. He suggests that if both parties can’t agree on what’s fair, it makes sense, and is also just, for the person who received the original benefit or service to determine the value of the return.
Why? Because fairness can be understood as giving back something equivalent to what the receiver has gained—whether that is the value of the advantage they received or the price they would have willingly paid for the pleasure or benefit. In this way, the return compensates for what was given in a fair and balanced way, creating symmetry in the exchange. Essentially, Aristotle's focus is on mutual fairness and ensuring that both sides feel satisfied with what they give and receive.