Final answer:
According to Aristotle, the cause of friendship between young people is based on the good or the goodness of their characters. Aristotle distinguishes between incidental friendships, which are based on utility or pleasure, and perfect friendships, which foster virtuous development.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Aristotle, the cause of friendship between young people is based on the good or the goodness of their characters. Aristotle distinguishes between incidental friendships, which are based on utility or pleasure, and perfect friendships, which foster virtuous development. Perfect friendships make it possible for young people to contemplate virtuous actions and actions that are not their own, while still thinking of these actions as their own because their friend is like another self. Aristotle considered true friends as the greatest of external goods.