Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean

Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean suggests that virtues, or good qualities, lie between extremes of excess and deficiency. For example, courage is a balance between rashness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency). Virtue isn't about having a fixed amount of a trait but about finding the right balance tailored to each situation. This means behaving appropriately, neither overdoing nor underdoing things, to lead a morally good and fulfilled life. The idea encourages thoughtful moderation, emphasizing that moral excellence is achieved by avoiding extremes and acting in a balanced, context-sensitive manner.