Aristotle held that moral virtues are balances between two behavioral extremes. For example, courage is the midpoint between excess (foolhardiness) and deficit (cowardice). Thus, the virtuous and happy life is a life of moderation in all things.
Philadelphia, PA
Dear MacGregor,
Aristotle got it right.
One way to look at the doctrine of the golden mean is in terms of self-restraint. Self-restraint is required in order to steer toward the middle and avoid one's stronger, uneducated inclination. For example, if courage is the mean between cowardice and foolhardiness, then the foolhardy must seek to become less impulsive; and the cowardly must seek to confront their fears. One attains to the virtues by practice of self-restraint and practice of more appropriate action.
The development of the Aristotelian virtues depends on a process of training of the will --in accordance with wisdom. The full development of the various virtues amounts to character as an accomplishment. But there can be no training of the will where a person is unwilling or unable to practice self-restraint --that is, unwilling or unable to depart from first or initial tendencies and inclinations to action.
Where there is no self-restraint, there can be no virtue.
H.G. Callaway
Well Prof , if Aristotle has said it then mathematically it is true scientifically there might be equi-probable occurrence of events ....
If virtue and related moral and ethical values are the best guide to the conduct of the human spiritually who aspires to the best within his human capacities, without harming anyone who gets in his way; even accompanying others in this ideal.
Hello,
Aristotle's Golden mean principle , as an essential prerequisite to morality, has been acknowledged in most religions and is endorsed by the universal saying "moderation is the best policy". Naturally, the very foundation of moral values may be influenced by complying with the yardstick proposed by the Golden Mean requiring the avoidance of extreme inclinations such as excess and deficiency. Overall, moral behavior cannot exist unless there is a balance between the desires of the self and wisdom.
Best regards,
R. biria
Dear Colleagues, Good Day,
"Golden mean (philosophy)
In ancient Greek philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean or golden middle way or Goldilocks Theory is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example, in the Aristotelian view, courage is a virtue, but if taken to excess would manifest as recklessness, and, in deficiency, cowardice.
To the Greek mentality, it was an attribute of beauty. Both ancients and moderns believed that there is a close association in mathematics between beauty and truth. The Greeks believed there to be three "ingredients" to beauty: symmetry, proportion, and harmony. Beauty was an object of love and something that was to be imitated and reproduced in their lives, architecture, education (paideia), and politics. They judged life by this mentality.",...
Please, go to the attached website to read the rest of the article,...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_mean_(philosophy)
Philadelphia, PA
Dear MacGregor,
Aristotle got it right.
One way to look at the doctrine of the golden mean is in terms of self-restraint. Self-restraint is required in order to steer toward the middle and avoid one's stronger, uneducated inclination. For example, if courage is the mean between cowardice and foolhardiness, then the foolhardy must seek to become less impulsive; and the cowardly must seek to confront their fears. One attains to the virtues by practice of self-restraint and practice of more appropriate action.
The development of the Aristotelian virtues depends on a process of training of the will --in accordance with wisdom. The full development of the various virtues amounts to character as an accomplishment. But there can be no training of the will where a person is unwilling or unable to practice self-restraint --that is, unwilling or unable to depart from first or initial tendencies and inclinations to action.
Where there is no self-restraint, there can be no virtue.
H.G. Callaway
Àt is very difficult to fault Aristotle.
The two diametrically opposite extremes in nature are often problemmatic.
It applies when it can apply and doesn't apply when it cannot. The courage example is the most commonly cited example of when it can apply. Is being honest not a virtue? Try applying the golden mean to truth-telling and you end up tying yourself in knots trying to define a mid-point that isn't a non-truth.
Self-restraint? Is this a virtue? Or part of the process of achieving virtue? (probably both) Self-control I think would be a better term. But I'm nit-picking. In principle I agree with Callaway's view (when it can be applied).
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