DOCTRINE OF MEAN 1

Doctrine of Mean

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Doctrine of Mean

The Doctrine of the Mean by Aristotle is referred to as a virtue that is a character state

that is concerned with making a choice, dishonest in a mean, which is its relation to us resolute

by the coherent principle and by the principle determined by a man with practical wisdom.

Aristotle developed the twelve virtues which act as a significant checklist to understanding the

various values, virtues, and morals which may restrain or cultivate in one’s life. He pointed out

that moderation is essential in everything; that when any virtue is in excess is just a bad thing as

lacking the virtue. One has to identify the mean which is the accurate balance.

In the virtue of courage, when mean is observed, one would not be a coward or rash in

face of danger. Also, in the virtue of temperance, adherence of mean ensures that there is no

excessive sensual pleasures enjoyment or deficient amusement of such ("Aristotle's Doctrine of

the Mean", n.d.). In the liberality virtue, this doctrine ensures that there is no prodigality nor

illiberality but one gets to spend or give out freely. In the moral virtue of munificence, the

doctrine of the mean would promote the action or quality of one becoming extremely generous

through ensuring there is no vice of excess that results in vulgarity or deficiency vice that results

in pettiness (Kraut, 2001). Moreover, in the virtue of high-mindedness, observance of the mean

would endorse high ethical values of behavior and avoiding vain gloriousness or humble-

mindedness.

Aristotle’s virtue of ambition dictates that one should have the right earnest desire for a

given form of distinction or achievement. Observing the doctrine of the mean would ensure that

one is not over-ambitious or have want of ambition ("Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean", n.d.).

Moreover, this doctrine works in the virtue of patience ensures that one is control temper to

avoid being irascible and also avoid spiritlessness when this virtue is in deficiency. On the virtue
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of friendliness, mean ensure one has the social IQ. It prevents obsequiousness when for instance,

one gets overly friendly to others resulting in an act of cringing submissiveness like a servant to

is master (Urmson,1973). Nevertheless, in absence of mean, one can become surly due to the

vice of deficiency in friendliness.

In the virtue of sincerity, mean ensures that individuals in the society are truthful without

being boastful or are ironical depreciated (Willows, 2020). Aristotle’s virtue of wit promotes

individuals to have the capacity of being inventive in their thoughts and are quick at

understanding while preventing them from being buffoonery or boorish. Moreover, Aristotle

identified the virtue of modesty which promotes moderation in oneself (Hardie,1964). Observing

mean doctrine ensures that one is not bashful or is shameless. Nonetheless, mean is applied in the

virtue of justice which promotes fairness in the society and ensures that individuals do not get

spiteful or callous.

Aristotle developed this doctrine of the mean in discoursing excellence. He outlined that

excellence brings out the good in something and facilitates it to perform excellently in its

function. For instance, when one has good eyes, he/she is capable of seeing well. He imported

this doctrine into is ethical excellence account where he says that bodily health and strength are

destroyed when something is in deficiency or excess. Such as exposing the body to excess

exercise or food is bad to the health just as when either exercise or food is too little which is the

same in ethical matters. The doctrine of mean works for Aristotle’s twelve virtues which he

believed are essential to a society living in harmony. He perceived that the well-being of a group

is more significant than of an individual and it is only through development and application of

virtues that harmony can be achieved.

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References

Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean. Retrieved 9 September 2020, from

http://www.plosin.com/work/AristotleMean.html

Hardie, W. F. R. (1964, January). Aristotle's Doctrine That Virtue Is a" Mean". In Proceedings

of the Aristotelian Society (Vol. 65, pp. 183-204). Aristotelian Society, Wiley.

Kraut, R. (2001). Aristotle’s ethics.

Urmson, J. O. (1973). Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean. American Philosophical

Quarterly, 10(3), 223-230.

Willows, A. (2020). ARISTOTLE’S VIRTUES & DOCTRINE OF THE MEAN. Retrieved 9

September 2020, from https://unkantrolablerpe.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/aristotles-

virtues-doctrine-of-the-mean/