"Friendship is merely a symbiotic relationship forged between two humans if both see a way of them gaining something, this being a mutualistic bond. Although slightly more rare, friendships may have a bond of commensalism (Neither is really affected) or even parasitism (One gains, other is hurt). Thus humans are no different from the animals we disassociate ourselves with."
I'd like to debate this.
I agree (mostly) with your first statement. "Friendship is merely a symbiotic relationship forged between two humans if both see a way of them gaining something, this being a mutualistic bond."
However, the parasitic relationship is not friendship. You defined friendship as - "a symbiotic relationship forged between two humans if both see a way of them gaining something, this being a mutualistic bond." You said two things: one, both parties see a way of gaining something, and two, it must be a mutualistic bond.
Mutualistic bonds are mutually beneficial. that means that BOTH parties benefit. You said that a friendship could involve parasitism. in your own words-"...or even parasitism (One gains, other is hurt)."
That is not a mutualistic bond, and is therefore not friendship.
The commensalism friendship is ALSO wrong.
https://www.britannica.com/science/commensalism
Britannica defines commensalism as - "Commensalism, in biology, a relationship between individuals of two species in which one species obtains food or other benefits from the other without either harming or benefiting the latter."
This means that one benefits, and the other is not affected.
You said - " ...friendships may have a bond of commensalism (Neither is really affected)"
that is wrong. One IS affected positively.
True friendship is beneficial to both parties always. Whether animals can have friendships or not is irrelevant. If the situation is bad for either party, it is not friendship.
