We learn about the unhealthy and shallow depiction of “soul friendships” in mainstream films and literature:

“Type  soulfriends, or even worse “soulmate” into an internet search engine  and some of the most syrupy aphorisms on friendship will be returned for  your edification… the trouble with this sentimental haze and  commodification is that it cheapens an idea of enormous human value: the  spirituality of friendship is not something that can simply be ceded to  the market” (p. 222).

In this week’s reading material, the  following philosophers discuss their views on this topic: Saint  Augustine, Aristotle, Plato, Kierkegaard, Kant and Thomas of Aquinas.  Make sure to incorporate their views as you answer each discussion  question. Think about how their views may be similar or different from  your own. In at least 350 words total, please answer each of the  following, drawing upon your reading materials and your personal  insight. Please be sure that you do not provide names of people or  identifying characteristics of the workplace. What is your own perception of how the media fosters unhealthy  models of friendship through film and television? Please provide an  example from either a book or a film. What is our ethical responsibility  in terms of challenging and questioning these mainstream notions of  friendship? 

Vernon, M. (2010). The Meaning of Friendship. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.  Chapter 5: Unconditional Love Chapter 8: The Spirituality of Friendship De Amicitia – On Friendship. Cicero (Links to an external site.) (1923). Retrieved from http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cicero/Laelius_de_Amicitia/text*.html