Golden Mean Theory

Golden mean or "middle way" is an ancient concept described in various traditions. In Western philosophy, Aristotle in particular elaborated this concept in his book Nicomachean Ethics. The "golden mean" is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency.

Aristotle in his book Nicomachean ethics has described about virtue and its reward,which is happiness.Aristotle said, virtues are a point of moderation between two opposite vices. In order to act virtuously, we must first acquire virtues, by parental upbringing, experience and reason. It is very important to develop certain principles in the early stages of life, for this will profoundly affect the later life. Aristotle's ethics is centered at a person's character, because by improving it, we also improve our virtues. A person must have knowledge, he must choose virtues for their own sake and his activities must originate from a firm and unshakeable character, which represents the conditions for having virtues.Aristotles ethics is strongly teleological which means that it should be the actions that leads to the realization of the good of the human being.

For Aristotle, virtue came from character. It is the character that makes you do the good deeds , not the deeds themselves. This school of moral thought is still around today and is called Virtue Ethics.

In his theory Aristotle is not talking about the mathematical middle, but the perfect intermediate point with regard to ourselves.The middle depends upon the situation.There is no universal middle that would apply to all situation. It is also important to remember that what is the proper midpoint for one person may not be the proper midpoint for another.

The mean is about the proper emotional response to situations, rather than the proper actions. Aristotle said, "It's easy to be angry, but to be angry at the right time, for the right reason, at the right person and in the right intensity must truly be brilliant."

Aristotelian Ethics is about what makes a virtuous character possible - righteous actions, often learned through the influence of teachers, allowing the development of the right habits, the right character, and a chance of achieving Eudaimonia (often translated as “well being” or “happiness”)
Similar conceps of golden mean were also given by classical historians like those of pythagoras,delphi,plato,crete and socrates. Socrates teaches that a man "must know how to choose the mean and avoid the extremes on either side, as far as possible". Another early elaboration is the Doric saying carved on the front of the temple at Delphi: "Nothing in Excess".
In the ancient history we can find Gautama Buddha teaching the Middle Way, sharing the supremely important notion that the main purpose of our existence is to lead a good life.
Confucius also taught, excess is similar to deficiency. A way of living in the mean is the way of Zhongyong.

Criticism of Aristotle’s Golden Mean theory:

Many a time Aristotle's golden mean theory has been criticized.His theory was not able to solve many of the ethical dilemma’s.Killing is the interesting example to use in connection with the golden mean.

Would the killing of termites be the wrongful act when it is the only way to prevent them from destroying the house
(OR)
Pulling a plant and eating it when it is the only food available.

The killing that happens during abortion is also difficult case for this thoery to explain.

It is also hard for this theory to determine the issue of working at the job. Like how much in the way of possesions and wealth is enough?
All these ethical questions cant be answered by the golden mean theory of Aristotle for which it is criticized.

There are some other weaknesses in the theory as well. Aristotle states that living according to virtues is often not enough to guarantee a happy life. Another prerequisite (in addition to virtuous behaviour) is good fortune which brings one the goods necessary, but not sufficient, for a happy life. Another prerequisite for a happy life is health, which is also desired for its own sake. For Aristotle even the most virtuous of men can be denied happiness through the whims of fortune. As a consequence, one cannot be sure of achieving happiness until one’s life is fully played out. It can also be inferred that living a good life does not only require behaving virtuously, but also requires some strokes of good fortune or even luck. This can be perceived to be a weakness, or inconsistency in the theory, as Aristotle firmly advocates that virtue alone brings happiness.

Application of Golden Mean thoery in media:

Certain principles of golden mean are evident in media or journalistic practises.For instance the principle of balance and fairness in reporting are built on the golden mean.Maintaining objectivity in covering and reporting the news is another way to practise golden mean in media.Journalistics values such as balance, fairness and proportion fall under golden mean theory.
When faced with an ethical dilemma, a journalist will make his or her decision by casting out the two extremes, or vices, and choose the middle point in the ethics spectrum.for e.g
Journalists have a choice ranging from running no photographs of a tragedy to running the most graphic display of violent death. If they subscribe to the ethics of the Golden Mean, they would try to run a photo that indicates the horror of the tragedy without offending the sensibilities of their audience or of the family involved. (Brooks, Kennedy, Moen, & Ranly, 1996, p. 473)









Works Cited

1. G.Christians,Clifford . et al Media Ethics:Cases and Moral Reasoning. 7th ed.USA: Pearson Education Inc.,London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.,2006.
2. Van Doren, Charles. A History Of Knowledge: Past Present and Future 1st ed. USA:Birch Lane Press,Carol Publishing Group,1992.
3. Gaarder, Jostein. Sophies World.17th ed. London: Pheonix,Orion Books Ltd,1996.
4. B. Albarran,Alan.Management of Electronic Media. 4th ed.USA: University of North Texas, p.55.

Websites
1. http://western-philosophy.suite101.com/article.cfm/aristotles_golden_mean
2. http://www.anus.com/zine/articles/draugdur/golden_mean/
3. http://www.freeonlineresearchpapers.com/aristotle-morality
4. http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/MEAN.HTM
5. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Golden_mean_%28philosophy%29
6. http://www.lee_peck.tripod.com/leethesis.htm#2