Socrates, philosopher: “Do friends not also have a different value?”

The enduring philosophy of Socrates continues to provoke fundamental questions, even in the 21st century, particularly concerning the nature of friendship. The ancient Greek thinker, renowned for transforming Western ethics through his method of inquiry, did not view friendship as a mere sentiment but as a structure of value comparable to material assets.

In texts attributed to him, Socrates challenged his follower Antisthenes with a provocative economic analogy: "Do friends not also have a different value?" This question, far from suggesting the commodification of affection, served as an ethical mirror. Socrates posited that just as economic systems rank value from a basic slave to a specialized foreman, human relationships operate under a similar logic. He argued that loyalty and commitment are not guaranteed, especially in times of adversity, but are attributes that must be nurtured.

Socrates urged individuals to engage in self-assessment: if one desires a strong support network, one must first consider their own value to their friends. This teaching emphasizes that true loyalty is demonstrated during crises such as illness, failure, or loss. The philosopher cautioned that those who neglect virtue and mutual utility risk becoming dispensable, easily abandoned at the first sign of difficulty. Friendship, in this Socratic view, is an investment of time, sincerity, and ethical judgment.

Born in Athens around 470 BC, Socrates famously rejected the profit-driven conventions of the Sophists. His life, characterized by austerity and his unique method of mayeutics (midwifery of ideas), contrasted sharply with the superficial morality of his era. Although immensely influential, he never wrote down his teachings, preferring instead the dynamic dialogue in the agora. His persistent questioning and refusal to accept the status quo ultimately led to his trial for impiety and intellectual corruption, culminating in his execution by hemlock.