Aristotle and moderation

So I recently (after watching the video - and others - I mentioned in this post) dug out my Third Degree Correllian notes (I started studying for, but did not complete, my Second and Third Degrees a couple of decades ago, after receiving my First Degree - which I subsequently let lapse when I left the tradition, although I received my Second and Third Degrees in another tradition, and was appointed Elder in that tradition ... which I subsequently wound up over problems it had), and I came across this, in a discussion on the Nine Virtues: 

In each case Aristotle maintains that in order to be a virtue the given quality must be followed with moderation. All extremes are by nature vicious – thus even a virtue taken to excess can become a vice. Thus by Bravery Aristotle does not mean foolhardiness, nor recklessness. Similarly by Generosity he does not mean that one should be a wastrel or a spendthrift.

...

Like Aristotle we would argue that a virtue taken to an extreme can be a vice. Thus by Service we do not mean being a doormat to others. By Modesty we do not mean self-abasement. Nor by Practicality do we mean materialism or ruthlessness. Rather in each case we are referring to a sensible, temperate practice.

Avoiding extremes could be viewed, I suggest, as maintaining a centrist, or balanced, position. 

That is a simplification - most notably because some characteristics do not have two polar extremes, but I was struck by the concept of moderation, and am of the view that what it is seeking to acheive is similar, at least, to what I am describing as balanced ... although I am only focusing on one characteristic (positivity), not Nine. 

This also showed that the concept of balance or moderation or avoiding extremes is one that has been considered by humanity for millennia. 

You can find information on Aristotle’s Four Cardinal Moral Virtues here, and his Five Intellectual Virtues here, and a series on the Nine Correllian Virtues here. 

There is also an analysis of 12 activities or emotions under the heaading “The Aristotelian Virtues” here, which is arranged in columns to show deficit, mean, and excess, which helps to illustrate the concept of moderation and avoiding extremes. 

What I need to do now is do some mediumship and get some input from my Matron/non-binary/Patron/Tutelary Deities and BPM  Guides.  

We have a few family matters that require urgent attention, but I will endeavour to attend to that as soon as is reasonably possible.

Blessed Be

Gnwmythr (Kayleen), ShrineKeeper 

Saturday, 8^th March, 2025 

Possible flaws 

Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider: 

• there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan  Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”;  
• I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
  

 

If you appreciated this post, please consider promoting it - there are some links below, and there’s also other options. 

Note that I am cutting back on aspects of my posts - see here. 

(Gnwmythr is pronounced new-MYTH-ear)  

Remember: we generally need to be more human being rather than human doing, to mind our Mӕgan, and to acknowledge that all misgendering is an act of active transphobia/transmisia that puts trans+ lives at risk & accept that all insistence on the use of “trans” as a descriptor comes with commensurate use of “cis” as a descriptor to prevent “othering” (just as binary gendered [men’s and women’s] sporting teams are either both given the gender descriptor, or neither).

#PsychicABetterWorld   and  

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