Saved Papers

Save papers so you can find them more easily!

Join Now

Get instant access to over 100,000 papers.

Join Now!

The Doctrine Of The Mean

The doctrine of the mean

"Virtue, then is a state of character concerned with choices, lying in mean, that is, the mean relative to us, this being determined by a rational principle, and by that principle by which the man of practical wisdom can determine it"

Aristotle maintains that virtues are always located between two vices, each vice either involves an excess or a defiance of what is required. For example, courage is the mean between foolhardy bravado on the one hand and cowardice on the other. Each vice involves either a deficiency (having too little) or excess (having too much) of what is required.

But a mean for one person is not a mean for another and depend entirely on the circumstance because what is appropriate for are situation may not be for another and a virtuous person is one that is phronesis (practical wisdom), the ability to determine what each situation needs.

Aristotle says this can't be attained by the young because they lack of life experience to......


View the rest of this paper...

Approximate Word Count: 423
Approximate Pages: 2 (250 words per double-spaced page)

Why should you join Frat Files?

  • - It's safe, secure, and private.
  • - Instant access to over 100,000 papers. New papers are added hourly.
  • - Fast and reliable customer support.

Credit Card

Bank Account

PayPal

Similar Essays

  1. The Doctrine Of The Mean In Aristotle'S Politics

    The Doctrine of the Mean in Aristotle's Politics. The Doctrine of the Mean
    in Aristotle's Politics. Examining the texts of Aristotle's ...

  2. The Doctrine Of The Mean

    the doctrine of the mean. The doctrine of the mean "Virtue, then is a state
    of character concerned with choices, lying in mean, that ...

  3. Aristotle On Bravery And Friendship

    ... avoid the extremes of rashness as an excess, and cowardice as a deficiency of bravery,
    and in achieving such aims, bravery satisfies the doctrine of the mean. ...

  4. Aristotle: Nicomachaen Ethics

    ... virtuous. c. According to Aristotle the doctrine of the mean refers to being
    able to hit the right spot on the emotional spectrum. You ...

  5. How To Improve The Effectiveness Of Performance Appraisal In China

    ... PA result. Last but not least, the doctrine of the Mean (zhong yong) affects
    the availability of PA objectivity, too. Zhong yong ...