In Aristotle's philosophy, the concept of the "mean" is central to his theory of ethics, particularly in his work Nicomachean Ethics. The idea of the "mean" is closely associated with his doctrine of the "Golden Mean," which refers to the desirable middle ground between two extremes: excess and deficiency.
Aristotle believed that virtue is a state of character that lies at a mean relative to us, determined by reason. He argued that moral virtues are not about extreme behaviors but about finding the right balance between too much and too little of a particular trait or action. For instance:
- Courage is the mean between recklessness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency).
- Generosity is the mean between wastefulness (excess) and stinginess (deficiency).
- Temperance is the mean between overindulgence (excess) and insensibility (deficiency).
Aristotle emphasized that the "mean" is not the same for everyone, as it depends on the situation and the individual. The "right" action, emotion, or decision will vary based on circumstances, but it should always aim for balance guided by reason.
In summary, according to Aristotle, the "mean" is the virtuous middle point between extremes, where moral behavior is achieved by avoiding both excess and deficiency in our actions and feelings.
