Moral behaviour is the mean between two extremes - at one end is excess, at the other deficiency. Find a moderate position between those two extremes, and you will be acting morally.
Hello comrades! Today we’re talking about balance, and not the physical kind. I’m trying to pursue the good life by studying philosophies in my spare time from far and wide. The frameworks, especially of the Ancient Greek Philosophies each have a common tone - balance, virtue and happiness.
I’m focusing on Aristotle’s concept of the Golden Mean and the Stoic teachings on Virtue. Both can offer insight into life’s navigation, despite their differences in other areas.
Let’s have a look.
Aristotle's Golden Mean: Finding Balance in Virtue
We must drag ourselves away in the opposite direction, for by steering wide of our besetting error we shall make a middle course. This is the method adopted by carpenters to straighten warped timber.
Borrowing from the "Nicomachean Ethics", and elsewhere. At the core of this style of Philosophy is the idea that virtue lies in a balanced position of two extremes, one being complete excess, and the other complete deficiency.
The idea of this, is that we should aim to try and find the appropriate response/action to each situation. Tough to do, I know.
Virtue should be a balanced state: an example of this is courage. There should be a mean between recklessness, carnage, endangerment, and outright cowardice. The same can be said for wasteful excess with material possessions and stinginess in owning nothing.
Remember → Excess vs Deficiency: In the middle sits the “happy medium”.
By the way, let’s be sensible about this.
This is not a one size fits all solution, and is relative to all of our situations and lifestyle’s.
Merely an idea and reminder to find the middle ground for situations that require confidence, temperance, financial prudence and regarding honour and pride…
Aristotle mentions that some actions, like murder and adultery, do not admit to a mean.
Phronesis & Eudaimonia
Without going into in-depth detail. I wanted to note the Ancient Greek terms associated with living a life of balance that you will hear time and time again.
To navigate the above, and achieve the golden mean, we need to mention using practical wisdom (Phronesis) in our day to day lives. This is essentially the intellect that will help us deliberate what is good and beneficial for us, and involves sound judgement and the ability to find the middle ground in varying life experiences and circumstances.
Eudaimonia (a good flourishing life, amongst other translations) is commonplace in Stoic practice as well, and to achieve this, your flow of life is surrounded with virtue, and harmony with universal reason at the forefront of your day to day life. Again crucial to achieving balance in life.
*This involves accepting the natural course of events with equanimity and understanding that everything happens according to a divine plan (which is open to interpretation of what that may be).
Essentially → Excellence in living, can be learned. Through practice and study of the right materials.
Turning to Stoicism
Extravagance is its own destroyer. - Attributed to Zeno of Citium
Stoicism, focuses on the cultivation of virtue as the only true good. We can see arguments that external circumstances such as wealth, status, and even health are actually all “indifferents”.
As strange as this may seem, in the eyes of a true Stoic these factors do not contribute to a person’s moral character or happiness. Instead they focus on teaching virtue as the highest good, and that living in accordance to nature is the sole path to a good life.
Virtue is sufficient for Happiness according to the Stoics, as it’s the only true good. Vice being the opposite and inherently bad.
The indifference to what is seen as “externals” plays a huge factor in this way of living. We need to focus on what is solely within our control, our thoughts, actions and reactions being the primary examples of these.
To the Stoics, this is self-mastery and downright resilience for whatever life may throw upon you. It is important to remember that these “external circumstances” are viewed as neither good nor bad.
You’ll see this referred to as the Dichotomy of Control. By focusing on what we can control as above, we should be able to cultivate tranquility and inner peace.
Contrasts: The Golden Mean and Stoicism
The Role of External Goods: Aristotle acknowledges that external goods (such as wealth, health, and friends) can contribute to a flourishing life, though they are not sufficient on their own. The Stoics, however, maintain that these externals are indifferent and that true happiness depends solely on virtue.
Flexibility vs. Rigidity: Aristotle’s ethics are more adaptable, suggesting that the "mean" can vary depending on the person and situation. Stoicism, however, advocates a more uniform approach, emphasising that virtue is the same for everyone and should be practiced consistently, regardless of external circumstances.
Modern Application
I wanted to end with an example of the two concepts. One that is personal to me in my life: practicing self-care, by this I mean looking after my body and training my mind.
The Aristotelian Approach: Achieving a balance between self-indulgence (excess) and self-neglect (deficiency) by taking time to rest and recharge without overindulging in comforts or distractions. Practice moderation in leisure activities right the way up to training and exercise to maintain a healthy mind and body.
The Stoic Approach: Caring for yourself is a rational duty, not an indulgence. Seek to have a balanced routine that includes time for reflection/work, exercise, and adequate rest. By using exercises like journaling or negative visualisation you can over time build mental resilience and prepare for life's challenges.
Remember the phrase once inscribed outside the temple of Apollo in Delphi: Nothing to Excess.
To conclude → writing about these processes in some detail, I found useful, as for me the two go hand in hand for an idealised way to live.
By applying the Golden Mean, you can strive for balance in personal, family duties and professional life, avoiding the pitfalls of excess or deficiency in these areas.
Meanwhile, Stoic practices can help maintain inner peace and resilience amid the chaos of modern existence, teaching us to focus on what we can control and accept what we cannot.
Will this be easy? Absolutely not. That’s why we must remind ourselves of these teachings on a regular basis and take time for philosophical practices, in order to think well, live well, and be well.
I hope just like me, you’ll use this as fuel to practice, and always seek practical wisdom. The important thing is to continue trying.
Seneca eloquently wrote: ‘…Let us balance life’s books each day. … The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.’
Recommendations
Before I go, I’d recommend reading Brittany Polat’s substack for regular emails, and frequent writings on a variety of useful topics for good living.
Further reading from my comments above: (all free to read)
Article on the Golden Mean from Philosophy Break → https://philosophybreak.com/articles/the-golden-mean-aristotle-guide-to-living-excellently/
I don’t say this often enough, but thank you for subscribing, commenting and reading my newsletters + posts. It gives me the energy to continue writing on Substack monthly.
Memento mori,
Enda (The Irish Stoic)
Thank you for the shout-out, Enda! Looking forward to more of your work here on Substack and also in video format!