Book 9 / Chapter 5
Paragraph 1 - The Distinction Between Goodwill and Friendship
Explanation - Part By Part
"Goodwill is a friendly sort of relation, but is not identical with friendship; for one may have goodwill both towards people whom one does not know, and without their knowing it, but not friendship."
Aristotle is explaining that goodwill and friendship are not the same thing, even though they might seem connected. Goodwill is more like a basic positive feeling or a general wish for someone to do well, but it doesn’t require a deep personal connection. You can feel goodwill toward someone you don’t know at all, and that person might not even be aware that you feel this way. Friendship, on the other hand, requires a closer, mutual connection where both people are actively involved. Goodwill is more general and passive compared to the active and personal nature of friendship.
"This has indeed been said already.' But goodwill is not even friendly feeling. For it does not involve intensity or desire, whereas these accompany friendly feeling; and friendly feeling implies intimacy while goodwill may arise of a sudden, as it does towards competitors in a contest;"
Aristotle is explaining the distinction between "goodwill" and deeper forms of affection, like "friendly feeling" or "friendship." Goodwill, he argues, is a lighter, simpler kind of positive regard—it doesn't involve strong emotions ("intensity") or a deep emotional connection ("desire"). It also lacks the closeness or intimacy that comes with true friendships or strong bonds. For example, you might suddenly feel goodwill toward someone you're competing against in a contest—you admire or respect them in the moment, share in their success, and wish them well—but this is fleeting and shallow. It doesn’t carry the depth or closeness of real friendship.
"We come to feel goodwill for them and to share in their wishes, but we would not do anything with them; for, as we said, we feel goodwill suddenly and love them only superficially."
Aristotle is pointing out that goodwill is a kind of shallow, surface-level positive feeling we might have towards someone, but it doesn't go deep enough to form a real connection or bond. For instance, we might admire or root for someone in a competition and genuinely wish them success, but that doesn’t mean we’re ready to engage in any meaningful actions or deep interactions with them. This kind of goodwill is spontaneous and fleeting—it arises suddenly and lacks the intensity or depth of true affection or friendship. In essence, goodwill is a lighter, more distant form of positive regard, not the kind of love or connection that binds people together closely.