Aristotle — Writing Things

Too Much of a Good Thing: When Strengths Become Weaknesses

Some human qualities are generally accepted as positive ones. Generosity. Honesty. Courage. Kindness. These are characteristics that we inherently assume are part of ‘goodness’; qualities we strive to instil in our children as they grow up. But is it a simplification to think that our strengths will always operate in our favour?

In ancient philosophy, Aristotle famously conceptualised the ‘golden mean’. The idea is that too much or too little of a virtue is problematic, and we should instead strive towards the middle. The old version of seeking out the porridge that’s ‘just right’. Many Greco-Roman philosophers warn of the dangers of excess and advocate for temperance, so perhaps this is not surprising.

Human Behaviour, PhilosophySonia DiabNovember 17, 2021self, philosophy, Aristotle, strengths

Reinvention and The Function of Humankind

“The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” - Marcus Aurelius

All these weeks into a global pandemic and the pot of life is simmering with feelings of excitement and hope. On one end, because it seems we finally have a chokehold on the virus for the moment – in Australia at least. The world seems to be getting its bearings, no longer unprepared for challenges ahead. And on the other end, because there is so much innovation and opportunity calling out to us, drawing us in like the smell of freshly baked banana bread.

PhilosophySonia DiabMay 2, 2020stoicism, Coronavirus, self, Aristotle