Understanding Friendship

"Understanding Friendship is the most exciting and profound study on the topic that we have seen in three decades. . . . Chartier presents the most diligent and comprehensive discussion that I have ever read, and he takes us to new levels of analysis throughout. His engagement with politics and economics breaks new ground and makes friendship the most important heuristic key for solving the problems of our modern times. Bravo. A sure classic from the get-go." --Stephen G. Post, Stony Brook University

"Chartier's Understanding Friendship invites serious reflection about how we ought to live. He examines the nature, the importance, and the limits of friendship from ethical, political, and theological perspectives. Few readers are likely to agree with every claim he makes, but through engaging his discussion, any reader can come to appreciate more fully the ways in which friendship enriches human life." --Gilbert C. Meilaender, Valparaiso University

"At a time when true friendship has been more and more replaced by transactional relationships, Chartier offers ancient wisdom that speaks to our deepest longings as 'social animals.' His poignant reflections on vulnerability and contingency need to be heard by every thoughtful person." --Stephen J. Pope, Boston College

"Chartier invites the reader on a journey to explore the mystery, richness, and blessed possibilities of relationships we frequently take for granted but clearly cannot live well without. Drawing upon theology and philosophy as well as psychology, economics, and social and political theory, Chartier gives a compelling and inspiring account for why friendship matters and deserves greater scholarly attention. Best of all, in opening up the many dimensions of friendship, Chartier, like a good friend, makes Understanding Friendship a gift to a most grateful reader." --Paul Wadell, St. Norbert College

"In this wise, wide-ranging, and philosophically astute treatment of friendship, Gary Chartier offers what precious few theologians have dared in the modern period: an account of friendship that does not begin by trying to update Aristotle. We are offered instead a marvelously stimulating proposal: that friendship is 'vulnerable co-creation,' an opening of oneself to embrace life with beloved people one cannot control." --Brian Brock, University of Aberdeen