Why It Hurts to Be Left Out: The Neurocognitive Overlap Between Physical and Social Pain.

Replace the word “friends,” as quoted above, with the word “air,” “water,” or “food” and Aristotle’s claim is indisputable. Without amending his statement, however, Aristotle’s claim seems more hyperbolic than truthful. If granted all the ‘real’ necessities of life, such as air, water, and food, would we not be able to live or, at least, not want to live, without the companionship of others? Are social relationships something we actually need or are they better