Family

We have looked at associations and see that ethics addresses how to be responsible and have good ones. It is necessary for humans to associate on different levels so why not study how to be good at it? We can't study associations without looking at the family. This is Aristotle's take on family ties. Most of our associations are incidental, they vary in kind and intensity but family associations are unique. Although there is little choice involved as to our participation, it is still worth considering our behavior toward them. Relatives are of course based in parentage. Birth forms kinship and the strongest bond is between parents and their children. Parents have a kind of ownership and knowledge of their children that no one else can have. Children enjoy this unconditional love but don't always reciprocate; their love is more of an appreciative kind. The creator always has a certain level of love that those who are created cannot comprehend fully. A mother's love is above it all and time spent with someone will intensify feelings. Traditionally they spend the more time with their children than anyone else. Both parents consider their children an extension of themselves and treat them likewise.

Brothers and sisters feel a certain camaraderie they don't have with others due to the common time spent together and the common blood. If brothers or sisters are close in age they normally have a close camaraderie that only those who were brought up together can have. Cousins also feel this kinship and commonality and will be close, especially if they live near each other. The feelings are intensified by proximity.  All relationship are by effected by character and how they act toward each other. Family bonds are no different. If they formed their character together and were raised by the same parents, it is more likely they will have similar values.

A man prefers to live as a couple and this is a priority over all other accomplishments. There is the natural part of reproduction but also a complementary side. They will both put their natural skills to work in forming a household and having children. So the relationship is pleasurable but also has utility purposes. Possessing common virtue makes it even better. Over time they form commonalities and one of the strongest one is children.Those who don't have children as a common bond don't always feel as committed to each other.
How they should act toward each other is a subject that varies according to the relationship since they have duties that aren't common to other relationships.

The next section is about the source of conflicts and how we go about resolving them.