La virtù dell'amicizia

Friendship probably represents the most important among human experiences, in order to cope with loneliness and prevent from isolation. Its value remains untouched through the generations and beyond social and cultural change. Yet, the development of the qualities which make friendship an intimate and sympathetic relationship requires a long journey, rooted in childhood, that during adolescence undergoes a significant acceleration. This paper explores the reasons why friendship can be considered as a formative experience during one’s life course, by underlying especially the link between understanding and supporting another person and achieving selfknowledge and confidence. Friendship, in fact, is a virtue whose practice allows someone to become truly himself, insofar as he transcends himself towards the other. This paradox, during the adulthood, is potentially generative for the community and implies a political meaning.