The golden mean: balancing extremes in Western and Eastern philosophy

Golden Mean

Throughout history, one of the biggest issues that have been perplexing humankind is maintaining balance in everything. Part of the reason for this, is because going to various extremes has been shown to create problems in the lives of individuals. As a result, different philosophers have been focusing on what is known as the golden mean. This is when you are taking the middle road between the various extremes that exist. Once this occurs, is when a person will be able to understand the world around them better by: looking at what is happening and the impact that is having. This is the point that they can make better decisions and understand how to more effectively deal with a wide variety of people. To fully comprehend this concept requires looking at its different views and the way that it can help to improve your overall quality of life. This is when we can see how this approach can help someone to have a sense of fulfillment and happiness about the world around them. (Hans, 1994, pp. 157 -- 275)

The Golden Mean and its uses in Everyday Life

When looking at the golden mean there are different interpretations that have been applied throughout history. The most notable include: the Western and Eastern approaches. While both are very similar, the reality is that there are slight differences in how this philosophy should be applied to everyday life. (Hans, 1994, pp. 157 -- 275) (Marinoff, 2007, pp. 155 -- 167)

The Eastern Approach

In both Confucian and Buddhist cultures, they are talking about similar ideas surrounding the role of an individual in addition to the need for balance in their lives. This is accomplished through what is known as the middle road or the middle way theory. Under this approach, an individual should maintain some kind of balance in their lives and the way they are interacting with everyone. This is because these societies realized that someone who does not understand this strategy; will often over emphasize different aspects in their teachings. Over the course of time, this means that they will miss critical elements that could have an effect on who they become and their underlying levels of happiness. (Hans, 1994, pp. 157 -- 275) (Marinoff, 2007, pp. 155 -- 167)

As a result, Eastern philosophers felt that this is having an impact on how someone is living the course of their lives. Where, those individuals who are practicing this approach regularly will be able to more effectively deal with a host of situations. Once this takes place, is when there will be a transformation in society and how everyone is interacting with each other. This is the point that they will make decisions that are supportive of the well-being of: their communities, families and themselves. (Hans, 1994, pp. 157 -- 275) (Marinoff, 2007, pp. 155 -- 167)

These elements are important, because they are showing how the golden mean has been used as an approach that will help someone to understand the world around them. This is when they are able to more effectively work with others and understand the various challenges that they are facing on a regular basis. Once this occurs, is when there will be a transformation in how everyone is interacting with each other and the role that they are playing in society. It is at this point that they will have greater amounts of clarity and understanding about how to effectively deal with the challenges that they are facing on a regular basis. (Hans, 1994, pp. 157 -- 275) (Marinoff, 2007, pp. 155 -- 167)