Do you think that Aristotle is correct when he argues that we should not abstain from alcohol nor drink much?

Question

Aristotle maintains that we should not be teetotalers or imbibe too much alcohol. This is his theory of the golden mean. Is he correct? Is abstaining from alcohol just as bad as drinking too much?

Marc,

Aristotle would agree that it is not possible to do absolutely everything in moderation. Recall that there are certain acts or traits that are inherently bad in his estimation. Aristotle thinks that two inherently bad acts are murder and theft. So, one cannot commit murder or theft in moderation and remain virtuous, Aristotle contends. One should never murder or commit theft, on his view.

Answer 1

Yes and no :-)

I think he is correct in that generally there is a negative aspect to all extremes. It is a theory that seems to be consistently confirmed in my experiences. In the case of abstinence, we often tend to overlook the idea that it can cause an insensitivity and lack of perspective towards the action.

However, I think it's obvious there are limits to the theory if you try to expand it to the literal meaning of the often used phrase "everything in moderation." If we have learned over history that an activity always creates more harm than good, we would do best to try to abstain from it. I don't think you need to go around murdering just a few people to make sure you're not desensitized to it.

Using this added criterion, I don't think the occasional glass of wine has really been shown to hurt anyone (unless you're an alcoholic), so I agree that it's probably a good idea to partake to keep your perspective balanced.

(Also, it's interesting to note that one could fairly easily show that attempting to do "everything in moderation" is not technically possible by suggesting that the actual act of being moderate, were it followed in EVERY single activity, would be a lack of moderation!)

Answer 2

Well if u think about it, the people who never drink and then decide one day that they feel like trying a drink get really drunk with just that one glass of alcohol, because their body isn't used to it and it hits them harder than it would a person that drinks a bit more often, I'm not saying that everyone should drink but it does have it's benefits, like red wine being good for the heart and as everything in life, it should be with moderation and not in excess, anything done to an excess is bad.

Answer 3

it could be all..... national secure practices Council: "the quantity of alcohol contained in an oz.. of whiskey or a bottle of beer is adequate to decrease the flexibility of the motive force or pedestrian to apply the line properly. Impairment starts with the 1st drink.” The stronghold of alcohol is extremely useful for which no guy or woman is proof against and a few people can not take care of any quantity of alcohol, and it consistently starts with one social drink. The intake of alcohol impairs judgment, inflames passions, and invites violence, and slowly destroys our physique. Alcohol must be taken care of as a drug yet isn't. Alcohol could be an additive drug that replaced into in no way meant to bypass by our blood. Why could any Christian choose for alcohol flowing by their veins while God has referred to as our bodies the "temple of God"?

Answer 4

Aristotle was not right about everything.
There are many people for whom moderate consumption simply does not work, and who are much healthier without alcohol.

Answer 5

Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps a-ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still. -- Lou Erickso
Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. -- Thomas L. Holdcroft

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. -- Winston Churchill

Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. -- Gandhiji

Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. -- Ann Landers

Answer 6

Moderation is the best way to experience all of life without being overwhelmed by it.

Answer 7

If you condemn yourself for the things that you do, such as drink, then you might as well not do it.

But if you can do things moderatly and happily then go right ahead.

Answer 8

i don't know if its just as bad but it sure would be no fun. plus can you imagine how different the world would be if no one ever drank alcohol ??? i would hate to even imagine that.