Talk:Golden mean (philosophy)

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It looks like the philosophical (or at least non-mathematical) aspect of the golden mean finally got separated out (from what is now Golden ratio) into its own page. This article still needs a lot of work and cleaning up. Any help would be appreciated. WhiteC 07:42, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] To Do

I think the intro should just explain the general concept of the golden mean, and note that different philosophers used it differently. Mention applications in Ethics and Aesthetics. I think the Golden Rectangle paragraph should be cut out & pasted into Golden Ratio (if they want it).

The subsection 'Golden Mean in Philosophy' should be expanded so it is the main article. It already treats Greek philosophers' uses of the golden mean in historical order. A section on the Pythagoreans with their mathematical mysticism and ties to the Golden Ratio could go in there. Aristotle's usage needs to be written up a little more too. WhiteC 04:47, 18 October 2005 (UTC)

This bit (from the old article) could be of use

"Golden mean in art
In architecture, the golden mean is the ideal relationships of mass and line which the Greeks perfected over time. Moreover, they found that architecture and art that incorporate this feature are more pleasing to people. This finds its perfection in the Parthenon. This can be compared to one of the first examples of Greek temple building, the temple of Poseidon at Paestum, Italy as it is squat and unelegant. The front of the Parthenon with its triangular pediment fits inside a golden rectangle. The divine proportion and its related figures were incorporated into every piece and detail of the Parthenon.
The Triumphal Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum, both in Rome, are great examples ancient use of golden relationships in architecture.
Phidias, a famous ancient Greek sculptor, incorporated the Golden Mean in all his work."

WhiteC 04:51, 18 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Aristotle

Shouldn't this page have much more emphasis on Aristotle? Other Greek philosophers may have used the concept to some extent, but isn't it overwhelmingly Aristotle's idea? He discusses his theory of the mean extensively in Nicomachean Ethics. --Jcbutler 17:13, 5 January 2007 (UTC)