Daniel Schwartz examines the thoughts of the great medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas on the subject of friendship--the ideal type of relationship that rational beings should cultivate. He uses illuminating examples from human relationships and politics to highlight the contemporary relevance of the ideas of this great thinker.

• 1: Aquinas on friendship: larger themes


• 2: What concord requires


• 3: Friendship and conformity of wills


• 4: What prevents us from joining other people's projects: pride as an impediment to conformity of wills


• 5: Friendship and uncertainty: presumptions and hope


• 6: Friendship and recourse to justice


• 7: Justice, satisfaction, and restoration of friendship


• 8: Concluding Remarks

David Schwartz is Lecturer in Politics in the School of Languages & Social Sciences at Aston University.