The Wisdom of the Golden Mean: Ethics, Psychology, and Economics

This article offers an interdisciplinary journey through the history and practice of the golden mean. Beginning with Aristotle's ancient concept of phronēsis and the Eastern traditions of Zhongyong and Daoism, the text seamlessly transitions to contemporary cognitive psychology. The reader will discover how defense mechanisms and heuristics influence our pursuit of balance and will learn specific self-regulation tools, such as the WOOP method and cognitive distancing techniques. The analysis also extends to behavioral economics, explaining the role of moderation in rational decision-making and building lasting social relationships. This comprehensive study demonstrates that the golden mean is not mediocrity, but a precise point of harmony determined by reason, crucial for well-being in a dynamic world.