Friendship Over Romance

Jeanne Proust at Strand Bookstore

Fri, Feb 15 at 7 p.m. | 90 minutes

We tend to talk about love as the type of personal relationship we should primarily seek and thrive for. But Isn’t friendship much more crucial in our lives?

As a culture, we are obsessed with talking about love as the type of personal relationship we should primarily seek and strive for. But Isn’t friendship much more crucial in our lives?

Numerous philosophers have reflected upon the importance of friendship in the construction of our emotional balance but also in the definition of our identity and of our moral character. While the sentiment is lovely, seeing a friend as our alter ego can be problematic. What characteristics could friendship share with romantic or filial love? What features are exclusively defining friendship? What type of reciprocity is expected in a true friendship?

In this Olio we will come together to discuss the features of this demanding conception of friendship, and compare views about what it could truly mean to be a good friend.

Teacher: Jeanne Proust

Jeanne Proust's research focuses on Théodule Ribot’s Diseases of the Will, both in philosophical and psychological perspectives. While teaching at different universities here in New York, Jeanne is advocating for a widening of philosophical education beyond the academic frontiers.

Venue: Strand Bookstore

What is Think Olio?

Think Olio is here to put the liberation back into the liberal arts.

Classically, the liberal arts, were the education considered essential for a free person to take an active part in civic life. To counter a humanities that has been institutionalized and dehumanized we infuse critical thinking, openness, playfulness, and compassion into our learning experience.

Scenius Membership

If Friday night lectures, museum field trips, and living room salons sound like your kind of thing, then you've found your people. We can't wait to welcome you to the Think Olio Scenius. More info