Talking about the virtuous life Aristotle proposes a principle of golden mean or golden middle way. The Golden Mean embodies Aristotle’s answer to how happiness can be achieved by man. Happiness is the end goal of human existence. The golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. He emphasized that happiness can only be achieved by finding the right balance between two extremes.

Aristotle cites as an example two extremes which should be avoided by man. The first is cowardice which is the extreme of deficiency. The second is recklessness which is the extreme of excess. Cowardice is exemplified in the action of a man who fails to help a loved one inside a burning building. Recklessness, on the other hand, is shown when a man without any protection for himself enters a burning building to rescue a loved one. Both are considered extreme actions which should be avoided as they do nothing to a man’s search for happiness. The first is considered extreme because it is very unusual for a man who knows that a loved one is inside a burning building but fails or refuses to do something about it such is an act of cowardice as he only intends to save himself. On the other hand, it is worse when a person decides to enter a burning building when he fully knows that he will not be able to get out of the burning building alive.

The principle of golden mean is very much practical in attaining happiness in life. This concept encourages a balance in life in order to remain virtuous. The problem we face in today’s world is that we can’t find a balanced position in our life styles, financial expenditure, behavioural patterns, religious actions, technological developments, use of natural recourses. We are not able to find a moderate way of confronting our life. We all are competitive enough to go further and further to achieve extremes, which spoils our happiness. Either we remain as stingy or we are luxurious. Both lead us to discontent. Another point is to be noted that, there is no exact middle position in general. It is situational, that means it is relative to every situation. Before we act we have to judge the balanced way of dealing with this situation. When we start to live in a moderate way, our life in this world will be in a balance, which leads to happiness of all.

Fr Joseph Pallattil