The Comparison Of The Golden Mean Between Aristotle And Confucius

Both Confucius and Aristotle are one of the most important philosophers.Their thoughts have deeply influenced the development of philosophy and the way we think.The study of them will not only help us understand the tradition of philosophy,but also provide valuable resource for our development today.In books of Confucius and Aristotle,we can find that both of them think highly of "the golden mean",and consider them as a crucial virtue.Their thoughts about"the golden mean" have much in common.For example,both of them approve courage,rather than rashness and timid.However,their thoughts about "the golden mean" differ in many aspects.Many scholars have compared them in many levels,such as the political climate,the historical and social background,and the practical methods.However,they didn't see the difference in metaphysical level,and their understanding about the conception of virtue which is the core of their theory.In this essay,I will compare their difference about "the golden mean" from metaphysical aspect.Then,I will clarify their understanding about virtue.First of all,in Analects,the conception of "the golden mean" doesn't need to be built on metaphysics.But in Nicomachean Ethics,it has the foundation of metaphysics.Secondly,Both Confucius and Aristotle treat "the golden mean" as a kind of moderation.But the criteria of moderation are different.Aristotle thinks that moderation must be decided by logos,while Confucius claims that it should be judged by "li".This difference is due not only to the different political background,but also to the different of their understanding about human.Aristotle thinks that the essence of human is logos,whereas Confucius emphasizes learning to be human.Their difference of the understanding of man directly influents their conceptions of virtue.At last,from Aristotle's view,Confucius theory doesn't have intellectual virtue.This difference is also very important.