“Goodness is simple, ill takes any shape”

“Yo, Aristotle, Imma let you finish, but I just wanted to say that Plato was the best philosopher of all time!” I suppose if Kanye West knew who either of these philosophers were, he might say something like this. They are both really awesome guys that have some important things to teach. However, I am just having a little trouble finding out why Aristotle is taking so long to say what he wants to say. The first piece that we read, Moral Virtue: The Doctrine of the Mean, was great. However, out of all four pages (in a very small font) I basically got one point: moderation is key. Could he of not just said that and saved a little ink and parchment?

As harsh as I am being on Aristotle right now, he really did have some very valid points. Moderation truly is key and the world would probably be a much better place if people practiced this idea. He starts off by explaining what he means by mean, “By an equal or fair amount I understand a mean amount, or one that lies between excess and deficiency” (359). Aristotle then explains that there are absolute means, where the mean is always the same, and there are also more commonly relative means, where the mean depends of the person/circumstance. He gives the example of food: a man should not take too much, but enough to nourish himself. However, what may be sufficient for one man may be too much for another, or too little for a third man. For an example of circumstance, he talks about spending money: “the extravagant person exceeds in spending, but falls short in taking; while the stingy man exceeds in taking, but falls short in spending” (361-362).

Aristotle explains that there is one last category, the one where there is no mean because the action is wrong no matter what. For example, there is no moderation to “malevolence, shamelessness, envy, and, among acts, adultery, theft, [and] murder” (361). He tells that that it would be just crazy to say that there is moderation in these horrible acts, because even just a little adultery, if there is such a thing, is always wrong.

Again, I reiterate, this entire piece was amazing in a beat-around-the-bush way. If humans practiced moderation, we would definitely not be dealing with issues like pollution, over run landfills, petroleum shortages, and massive national debts. Also, if people practiced absolute wrongs more, there would be much less trouble in our lives. People wouldn't think it would be okay to cheat just once or steal just one little thing. The world really would be a better place. Aristotle, you were completely right, moderation truly is the key.