Philía

Philía (Greek: φιλία), often anglicized as philia, is a term for affectionate regard or friendship-based love. It denotes goodwill, mutual respect, and a sense of social bond between people who share values, aims, or a common life. The word comes from the Greek verb philein, “to love,” and its noun form philia expresses a chosen, reciprocal form of love rather than desire or familial ties.

In classical philosophy, philia is one of several loves shaping human relationships. Aristotle identifies different kinds of friendship within philia: those based on utility or pleasure, and the highest form, friendship based on virtue, where friends admire each other’s goodness and help one another strive for the good life. Philia is thus rooted in reciprocity, trust, and shared ethical aims, rather than mere sentiment.

In modern usage, philia can refer to friendship and social bonding in everyday life, as well as more formal notions of civic or communal friendship. It is often discussed in psychology and anthropology as a voluntary, reciprocal bond that contributes to individual well-being and social cohesion. Philía is sometimes contrasted with eros (romantic love) and storge (familial love), highlighting the different bases of affection: personal choice and mutual benefit in philia, rather than attraction or kinship alone.

See also: agape, friendship, civic friendship.