Mesotes
Mesotes (μεσότης, Greek "middle") is a term from ancient philosophy that was introduced into ethics by Aristotle . According to Aristotle, it describes the position of a virtue between two opposing vices, “excess” and “lack”.
One example is the virtue "ἀνδρεία" (andreia). Who has the ἀνδρεία is ἀνδρεῖος (manly, capable, courageous and brave) and is called "ὁ ἀνδρεῖος" (the manly, capable). The ἀνδρεία stands as mesotes ( middle or middle disposition ) between “recklessness” and “ cowardice ”. However, this respective center is not an arithmetically mean point that is clearly determined by two mutual vices, but it is understood as an ethical possibility of action that takes into account the peculiarities of the people. This middle is determined subjectively and depending on the situation by the reason of the individual and can differ between two people. Accordingly, according to Aristotle , the idea of the good life appears as a "middle form of life":
- Therefore virtue is in its essence ( ousia ), that is, according to the definition which indicates what it means to be this (to ti en einai), a center; but in terms of what is best (ariston) and what is good (eu) it is an extreme. - Nicomachean Ethics , Book 2, Section 6 (1106b-1107a)
Further examples:
- Stupidity - temperance - indulgence
- Waste - generosity - avarice
- Flattery - friendliness - contentiousness
literature
- Nicolai Hartmann : Ethics . 3rd edition, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin 1949, p. 439 ff.