Verboven working paper Utility of affection powerp

The utility of affection. Towards a new approach to 'friendship' in ancient Rome : 

The utility of affection. Towards a new approach to 'friendship' in ancient Rome Koenraad Verboven

Slide2: 

Sociology & anthropology on ‘friendship’ Ancient philosophers and writers Greek philosophy The Roman view : Cicero Utility in friendship Modern views on Roman amicitia (and patronage) Social history Political history Economy Affection Towards an integrated approach Gift-exchange signifying affection Affection in response to favours received Affection as ‘rule reminder’

Social sciences: 

Social sciences Popular subject in structural-functionalism (~ research tradition of ‘reciprocity’) Friendship ~ patronage : ‘Dyadic alliances’ Voluntary relation (achieved, not ascribed) Primarily instrumental relations Particularistic Duration (expected to last ‘for ever’) Generalised or balanced reciprocity Require/expect trust and solidarity Some affection expected

Affection expected but not essential: 

Friendship Equality Exchange balanced SYMMETRY Patronage Inequality Exchange unequal ASYMMETRY Affection expected but not essential

Pitt-Rivers: 

Pitt-Rivers Based on ‘amity’: set of normative premises focused on axiom of prescriptive altruism ( prescriptive reciprocity) Mutual sentiments Reciprocity signifies sentiments Sentimental in inspiration Instrumental in effects

Aristotle: 

Aristotle 3 types of philia Based on utility (to chrèsimon) Based on pleasure (to hèdu) Based op virtue (aretè) => benevolence (eunoia) < love for the ‘absolute good’ (to agathon haplôs)

Hellenistic philosophy: 

Hellenistic philosophy Epicurus philia < need for others happiness is possible only in the enjoyment of friendship Zenon & stoics philia < perception of the absolute good only possible between the wise

Cicero’s ‘official’ view: 

Cicero’s ‘official’ view Amicitia = agreement on all things divine and human with goodwill (benevolentia) and affection (caritas) amor + virtus True friendship only between boni viri admire each other’s virtues

Cicero’s other views: 

Cicero’s other views Cicero, Laelius de amicitia “I do not speak here about vulgar or ordinary friendship, although this also is delightful and useful, but about true and perfect friendship, as it existed between those few of whom we spoke.” Cicero, De inventione “some people believe that amicitia is desirable only for its usefulness, others for itself only, again others for itself and its usefulness. Regardless of who may right, in oratory friendship should be sought for both reasons” Cicero, Pro Roscio Amerino “We cannot do everything by ourselves. Another is more useful in other things. This is why friendships (amicitiae) are formed, so that through mutual services the common good may be managed”

Other writers: 

Other writers Seneca, De beneficiis As I would not accept an unworthy person in my friendship, neither would I in the most sacred bond of services, from which friendship is born. Plautus, Truculentus The saying is true: where there are friends, there are resources (opes) Terentius, Eunuchus I have no one here / neither friend nor family: therefore, Phaedria, / I wish to procure some friends through my service (beneficio meo)

Ancient literature=> opposition between: 

Ancient literature => opposition between Ideals & philosophy Practice & Common sense

Ancient social history: 

Ancient social history Rarely independent research object Instrumental Gift-exchange Affection secondary role Idealisation in philosophy Patronage = ‘lop-sided friendship’ (~Pitt-Rivers) ~ underdevelopment of impersonal institutions

Ancient political history: 

Ancient political history dominance prosopographic approach amicitia ~ political parties New ‘institutional’ approach Amicitia ~ volatile alliances / networks ° political resources

Ancient economy: 

Ancient economy Primitivism / minimalism Embedded economy Gift-exchange and redistribution dominant modes of ‘economic’ transactions Amicitia primary non-kin social relation ‘embedding’ gift-exchange New ‘empiricism’ / ‘pre-industrialism’ Rupture ~ industrial revolution Importance of market exchange / dynamics Shape structural / institutional framework: monetisation, policy-making, fiscality, law … Amicitia: vital resources (credit, surety, agency, partnership, …)

Affection ?: 

Affection ? Little attention : expected but not essential Exceptions Peter Brunt: amicitia °< affection, obligation, honour David Konstan : Amicitia < affection ‘space of personal intimacy and unselfish affection’  norms regulating public and commercial life structured forms of interaction based on kinship, civic identity, or commercial activity

Integrated approach: 

Integrated approach Gift-exchange signifies affection Norm of affection => expectation Interiorisation ‘emotional habitus’ ° real sense of obligation predictability of behaviour Affection as ‘rule reminder’ Norm of affection is instrumental