“The Practice of the Golden Mean for Surviving Extreme Times” — Why the Golden Mean Continues to Be Necessary in a Society Swirling with Chaos and Extremism [Column] The Science of Thought (No. 97)

🧠 3 things you can learn from this column

• ① Choosing the Golden Mean is not being “vague,” but rather the most difficult form of judgment.
  → Extreme conclusions are easy to understand. That is precisely why maintaining a stance of calmly observing the whole and not easily leaning to one side actually requires high-level skills.

• ② It is not easy to avoid being swept away by those around you, not get carried away by emotions, and maintain your own position.
  → Whether in meetings or on the front lines, when extreme opinions or atmospheres are dominant, a calm sense of balance is what is most scrutinized.

• ③ The “small actions” to maintain the Golden Mean ultimately exist only in each individual situation on the ground.
  → Not giving an answer immediately, taking a bird's-eye view of the whole, and speaking only after regulating your emotions—that steady accumulation of modest efforts results in trust and stability.

🟨 Introduction | The Golden Mean, the Most Misunderstood Wisdom

1. Don't you think the Golden Mean is just “being wishy-washy” after all?

I have heard those words many times before.
In today's society, where extreme opinions fly about, “not leaning to either side” can sometimes appear as a lack of conviction.

Right or left? Strong or weak? For or against?
People who state things clearly seem more imposing and persuasive.

But is that really the case?

2. Examples of daily misunderstandings: The reality of being seen as “indecisive,” “playing it safe,” or “unnoticeable”

In our society, the term “Golden Mean” itself is often misunderstood.
“Wishy-washy,” “vague,” “just trying not to make waves”—it is perceived as a symbol of a passive attitude.

For example, when opinions are divided at work, when differences in values become apparent between family or friends, or when topics that divide opinion heat up on social media.
If you try to step back and look at the situation, it can look as if you have no opinion of your own.
It is not rare to be labeled as “someone who plays it safe,” “someone who doesn't stand out,” or “someone without resolve.”

However, in reality, the Golden Mean is neither “running away” nor “being vague,” but rathera much more difficult and proactive choice.

3. Actually, the Golden Mean is much harder than extremism

Taking an extreme position is surprisingly easy.
If you fully support one side and deny the other, you can find allies and feel emotionally relieved.
Because there is power in words, it is easy to stand out and be evaluated.

However, the Golden Mean is different.
Assess the situation, do not lean, do not be vague, express opinions if necessary, do not deny the other party, and calmly survey the whole.
Even if that stance appears “vague” on the surface,in reality, it requires a very high level of balance and courage.

This idea and this term were born 2,500 years ago in China, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
It was an era of chaos where war and power struggles swirled, and extreme ideologies and actions divided people and society.
It was in the midst of that that the “Golden Mean” was born.

The Golden Mean is not just an ideal theory or a passive attitude, but perhaps it isthe wisdom to make the optimal choice according to the situation without leaning and while remaining calm,which is necessary precisely in an unstable era dominated by extreme forces.

4. Purpose of this column: Exploring the “difficulty of the Golden Mean” and “the reasons why we should still aim for it”

Before we know it, the modern era has also become a time where extremes stand out.
SNS timelines are overflowing with radical language, and emotional conflict has become the norm in workplaces, homes, and political arenas.

In such an atmosphere, choosing the Golden Mean is by no means an easy path.
That is precisely why we need to turn our attention to this “most misunderstood wisdom” now, isn't it?

In this column, I will unravel the “structure of the Golden Mean” through a process of factorization, incorporating its historical background and realistic examples from modern society.

Why is the Golden Mean so difficult?
Even so, why should we be conscious of the Golden Mean?
And how can we put it into practice?

I would like to think about this together, while superimposing the chaos of 2,500 years ago onto the atmosphere of today's society.

🟪Chapter 1 | Etymology and Historical Background of the Golden Mean

1. Origin of the term “Golden Mean” (Chūyō)

The concept of the Golden Mean originates from the “Zhongyong” (The Doctrine of the Mean), a chapter in the ancient Chinese Confucian classic, the “Liji” (Book of Rites).

“Zhong”means impartiality, moderation, and the center, and “Yong”means constant or daily practice.
In other words, the Golden Mean does not refer to mere neutrality or ambiguity, but to a practical stance of always taking appropriate attitudes and actions according to the situation without bias.

It is said that this “Zhongyong” was written by Zisi (around the 5th century BC), who is considered to be the grandson of Confucius.

2. Historical background dominated by war and extremism

The “Zhongyong” was born in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (8th century BC to 3rd century BC), an era of chaos.
Feudal lords were vying for power, wars and power struggles continued, and society was leaning toward extreme ideologies and actions.

Rites and order were collapsing, reckless competition and excessive individualism were rampant, and the division between people and society was progressing.
At the same time, it was also an era where diverse thinkers known as the Hundred Schools of Thought competed on how to overcome social chaos.

This historical background of extremism and chaos became the soil that gave birth to the philosophy of the Golden Mean.

3. The essence of the wisdom shown by the “Zhongyong”

Confucius and his successors warned against extreme power-seeking and selfishness, emphasized rites, benevolence, and virtue, and preached harmony in social order and human relationships.
Following that trend, Zisi emphasized the “Golden Mean” as wisdom that maintains a balance between the individual's inner self and society as a whole by avoiding extremes.

Excessive ambition and selfishness cause society to collapse.
Mindless subordination and laziness lead to the decline of individuals and the state.

Avoid both extremes and look at the whole calmly without bias.
Do not be ruled by emotions or desires, and cultivate your inner self.
Value rites and virtue, and achieve both social and individual stability.
This is the reality-oriented wisdom of the Golden Mean.

4. Why it became a misunderstood wisdom

In subsequent history, the Golden Mean has often been misunderstood as “ambiguity” or “indecisiveness.”
This is influenced by the Legalist philosophy (strict punishment) of the Warring States period and the extreme individualism that emerged in the modern era.

However, the Golden Mean was originally born as an active wisdom for calmly surveying a society leaning toward extremes and overcoming chaos.

5. Historical significance connecting to the present day

Born in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, when war and extremism reigned, the Golden Mean can be calledan “intellectual defense strategy” aimed at harmony between the individual and society, and sustainable stability it can be said.

Its essence overlaps surprisingly well with modern society, where polarization is prominent.
By understanding the historical context, the importance of the Golden Mean and the value of its practice should become clearer.

🟥Chapter 2 | Why is the Golden Mean so difficult?

1. The allure of extremes: The temptation of simplicity, security, and a sense of unity

Extreme opinions and positions are easy to understand.
Right or left, black or white, enemy or ally—if you divide things with strong words, you don't have to think, and hesitation decreases.
Moreover, such extreme stances even create a certain sense of security and unity.

I myself have felt that temptation many times in my life.
When a new policy was discussed at work, when opinions clashed within the family, or when a controversial topic went viral on social media.
If I jump on one side's argument, my position becomes clear, and I gain allies.
Conversely, if I say something like, “Let's listen to both sides,” I am often seen as indecisive.

But the allure of extremes doesn't end there.

2. The magic of short-term results: The reality that extreme actions are more easily evaluated immediately

Extreme words and actions create short-term impact.
On social media, radical posts are shared, and in politics, strong statements that clearly define black and white attract attention.
In the workplace, those who speak assertively are also more likely to be evaluated as having “leadership.”

Conversely, a moderate attitude—calmly assessing the situation and taking a step back if necessary—is plain.

It is sometimes even misunderstood as “lacking decisiveness” or “lacking resolve.”

You might be tempted to choose an extreme path because you want immediate results.
You might be evaluated for it on the spot. However, in the long run, it leads to complicated relationships or damaged trust.

The magic of extremes lies in immediate, easy-to-understand results.
That is precisely why choosing the Golden Mean requires the resolve to remain calm without being swayed by immediate evaluations.

3. Emotional peer pressure: The mechanism of being swept away by group psychology and the “atmosphere”

Even more troublesome is emotional peer pressure.
Extreme opinions are easily linked to strong emotions—anger, fear, anxiety, or fanaticism.
And in the vortex of emotion, people tend to lose their composure.

There is an invisible "atmosphere" in the society where we live.
When the atmosphere of a situation tilts toward the extreme, it takes courage to go against it.
At times, there is even a risk of being treated as a heretic and becoming isolated.

Many people have likely had the experience of feeling "this might be wrong" in such situations, yet being unable to speak up.
In places where extreme opinions prevail, an attitude of trying to calmly view the whole picture can actually make one stand out.

Choosing the Golden Mean is also about not being swept away by the atmosphere and maintaining oneself.
That is not an easy thing to do.

4. Factorization ① The Difficulty of the Golden Mean = [The Allure of Extremes] × [Short-term Results] × [Peer Pressure]

When organized in this way, the difficulty of the Golden Mean is not simple.
It is a combination of the following three factors.

Difficulty of the Golden Mean = [The Allure of Extremes] × [The Magic of Short-term Results] × [The Peer Pressure of Emotions]

Extreme opinions are easy to understand, provide a sense of security, attract short-term results, and even create a sense of unity if you ride the wave of emotion.
In contrast, the Golden Mean is plain, easily misunderstood, and can even feel lonely.

But precisely for that reason, upholding the Golden Mean is also an "intellectual self-defense" against being swallowed by extremes.

5. Examples: The Reality that "Extremes Are Easier" in SNS, Politics, the Workplace, and the Home

In today's society, the reality that "extremes are easier" exists everywhere.

On social media, radical posts stand out more and gain more followers.
In the world of politics, arguments that "clearly divide friends and enemies" attract attention.
In the workplace, it is easier to be evaluated if you lean toward either the reformist side or the status quo side.
Even at home, there are situations where people want to reach a conclusion quickly through arguments that force a black-and-white choice.

Without realizing it, we are living in such an "atmosphere where extremes are easy."
That is precisely why consciously choosing the Golden Mean involves a difficulty akin to going against the flow of the times.

However, 2,500 years ago during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, extremes also divided society and hurt people.
The wisdom of the "Golden Mean" born amidst that chaos was precisely for calmly overcoming an era tilted toward extremes.

The extreme atmosphere we face now is by no means new.
History repeats itself. That is why there is meaning in daring to choose the Golden Mean.

In the next chapter, I would like to delve deeper into why the Golden Mean is "nevertheless indispensable."

🟩Chapter 3 | Why the Golden Mean Is Still Important

1. The Power of a Long-term Perspective: Creating Sustainable Relationships and Society Rather Than Momentary Frenzy

Extreme choices and actions tend to produce short-term impact.
Strong arguments, dramatic reforms, and clear compositions of friends and enemies evoke momentary frenzy and gather attention and evaluation.

However, that frenzy does not last and eventually produces backlash and exhaustion.
Whether in society, organizations, or the home, what extreme judgments bring are cracks and wear that follow a temporary surge.

The Golden Mean is different from immediate clarity or quick results.
Its essence lies in long-term stability and the construction of sustainable relationships.

Do not be misled by temporary achievements; build trust and order over time.
Do not be swayed by extreme ups and downs; organize things little by little.

That accumulation brings quiet and certain stability to both individuals and society.

2. Calmness of the Big-Picture Perspective: Seeing the Essence Without Being Swayed by Local Wins and Losses

In situations prone to extremes, it is easy to focus consciousness on immediate wins and losses.
Winning arguments, seizing the initiative, standing out.
The more one obsesses over such local results, the more one loses a big-picture perspective.

Essentially, individual situations are merely parts of the whole.
Society, organizations, and human relationships are all things where parts and the whole intertwine and continue to change over time.

A perspective of the Golden Mean is an attitude of calmly observing the flow of the whole without being caught up in local emotional wins and losses.
Without that calmness, the risk of being swept away by temporary emotions and misjudging the big picture increases.

The more extreme the situation, the more one should take a step back and look at the whole.
Look beyond immediate arguments and be conscious of how society, organizations, and human relationships are changing.
That is the big-picture wisdom possessed by the Golden Mean.

3. The Value of Sustainable Trust: Why the Calmness of Avoiding Extremes Is Trusted

Trust is not something built in a short period.
Extreme claims or actions, even if they attract people temporarily, are unlikely to lead to long-term trust.

Consistent actions, a calm attitude, and flexible judgment according to the situation.
The accumulation of such stances cultivates the trust of those around you over time.

Those who choose the Golden Mean may have less flashiness or noticeable results.
However, that calmness and sense of balance provide a certain sense of security in critical situations or moments when emotions run high.
By having someone who does not get swept away by extremes and maintains themselves, the anxiety of those around them is eased, and relationships stabilize.

What is trusted is not the volume of one's voice or extremism, but a quiet sense of stability based on assessing the situation.
Being conscious of the Golden Mean, as a result, becomes the foundation for generating sustainable trust.

4. Factorization ② Importance of the Golden Mean = [Long-term Perspective] × [Big-Picture Perspective] × [Sustainable Trust]

The importance of the Golden Mean lies in a structure where the following three elements act like multiplication.

Importance of the Golden Mean = [Long-term Perspective] × [Big-Picture Perspective] × [Sustainable Trust]

If even one is missing, the Golden Mean does not function.
If you are trapped in a short-term perspective, you will lean toward extremes; if you are swept away by local emotions, you will lose your calmness and damage trust.

The Golden Mean is not an ad-hoc "fence-sitting."
It is an active and strategic attitude for looking toward the future, surveying the whole, and quietly building trust.

5. Examples: The Benefits of the Golden Mean in Corporate Management, Educational Settings, Families, and Local Communities

Actions conscious of the Golden Mean demonstrate their value in various situations in society.

In corporate management, the composure to establish a sustainable business foundation without chasing short-term profits too aggressively leads to stable, medium- to long-term growth.

In educational settings, avoiding the extremes of cramming and laissez-faire, and providing flexible guidance tailored to each child's situation, produces trust and results.

Even in the home, by avoiding emotional conflict and the imposition of extreme opinions, and by engaging in repeated calm dialogue, a secure relationship is surely built.

In local communities, isn't it the steady accumulation of discussions and trust, rather than being swayed only by flashy events or loud voices, that supports sustainable activities?

The short-term pleasure brought by extremes, and the division and exhaustion that follow as a reaction.
To overcome that cycle, making the quiet choice of the golden mean, even if it goes unnoticed, is the shortcut to fostering ultimate stability and trust.

In the next chapter, we will delve into the specific frameworks of thought and action for practicing the golden mean, breaking them down factor by factor.

🟦Chapter 4 | Thought Frameworks for Practicing the Golden Mean

1. Perspective-Shifting Ability: The Habit of Thought that Freely Moves Between Short-Term and Long-Term, Local and Global

Practicing the golden mean requires a conscious shift in thinking that is different from simple 'stopgap measures' or 'splitting the difference.'

In situations where extreme choices are prominent, one tends to be biased toward short-term and local perspectives.
Conversely, if one only puts forward idealistic or abstract theories, one loses a sense of reality.

What is important is to freely switch between multiple perspectives—short-term and long-term, local and global—depending on the situation.

For example, instead of focusing only on the problem at hand, think about how that problem changes over time.
Or, look beyond individual interests to take a bird's-eye view of the sustainability of society as a whole and of relationships.

Without the ability to shift perspectives, it is easy to lean toward extremes.
The golden mean can be called the mental muscle to flexibly survey a situation without remaining stuck in a single perspective.

2. Techniques for Self-Control: Tips for Maintaining a Calm Inner Self Without Being Swayed by Emotions and Desires

The biggest factor in leaning toward extremes lies in the runaway nature of emotions and desires.
People are most likely to lose their composure in situations where emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, and impatience run high.

To maintain the golden mean, inner stability is essential first.
What is necessary for that is the technique of self-control.

Specifically, the following habits are useful.

Self-control is not a one-time decision, but is cultivated through small daily accumulations.
Maintaining an inner balance without being swayed by emotions or the environment becomes the foundation for practicing the golden mean.

3. Situational Judgment: The Practical Ability to Choose the Optimal Response According to Context

The Golden Mean is not about simply taking the “middle ground.”
It requires the practical ability to discern the optimal choice according to the situation and act flexibly.

Depending on the situation, there are times when one should assert oneself strongly, and times when one should cautiously step back.
By reading the other party, the background, and the timing, one can adjust the balance as needed without being bound by stereotypes.

This judgment requires calm information gathering and an understanding of the context.
It is not a superficial attitude of “not leaning toward either side,” but rather deciphering the entire situation and choosing the best response each time.

The Golden Mean can be called a dynamic sense of balance tailored to the situation, rather than a static position.

4. Factorization (3) Golden Mean Practice = [Perspective Switching] x [Self-Control] x [Situational Judgment]

The foundation for practicing the Golden Mean lies in a structure where the following three elements work together like a multiplication.

Golden Mean Practice = [Perspective Switching] x [Self-Control] x [Situational Judgment]

If even one is missing, it becomes easy to be swept away by extremes.
Fixating on a single perspective promotes short-sighted extreme thinking.
A lack of self-control invites emotional runaway.
Without situational judgment, it leads to incorrect choices that ignore the context.

The Golden Mean is an intellectual and practical attitude that combines these elements to maintain the optimal balance for each situation.

5. Practical Examples by Situation

There are many situations in actual life and society where one should be conscious of the Golden Mean.

● Work (Superiors, Subordinates, Customer Service)

Within an organization, there are many situations where the policies of upper management, the voices of the front lines, and the demands of customers conflict.
In such cases, one is required to switch between short-term and long-term, local and global perspectives to view the whole, avoid emotional conflict, and adjust calmly.
Avoiding extreme sycophancy or rebellion and aiming for both relationships and results is a choice aligned with the Golden Mean.

● Human Relationships (Friends, Family, Partners)

The closer the relationship, the easier it is for emotional conflict to arise.
In such cases, one needs the composure to take a breath, not be swayed by emotions, and look at the entire situation.
Not forcing opinions, speaking frankly when necessary, and engaging in repeated dialogue that does not damage trust with the other party leads to a response aligned with the Golden Mean.

● Social Participation (SNS, Community Activities, Politics)

On social media, in local communities, and in politics, extreme opinions are easily spread.
By not getting caught up in one-sided assertions or emotional confrontations, discerning the situation from a calm perspective, and refraining from reckless posting, one can maintain the Golden Mean.
Repeated dialogue and information organization to create a space for unbiased discussion leads to the formation of sustainable trust.

The Golden Mean is not mere neutrality, but an intellectual behavioral habit of judging flexibly and calmly without leaning toward extremes by aligning one's perspective, inner state, and situation.

In the next chapter, we will organize and reaffirm why the Golden Mean holds value as an “intellectual weapon” precisely because these are unstable times.

⬛ Summary | In Unstable Times, the Golden Mean Becomes a Weapon

1. The Side Effects of an Era Where Extremism Stands Out: Division, Exhaustion, and Distrust

In modern society, extreme opinions and actions have become more prominent than ever before. In social media, posts that incite anger, anxiety, and dissatisfaction are spread, and in political and workplace discussions, strong words that clearly define things as black or white gather support.

The background to this shares the same structure as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. About 2,500 years ago, wars, power struggles, and the clash of extreme claims divided society and amplified people's anxiety and distrust.

While extreme stances provide temporary peace of mind or clarity, they gradually narrow society's tolerance and create a cycle of division, exhaustion, and distrust. On an individual level, it is not rare for relationships to collapse as a result of being swayed by waves of emotion and losing one's composure.

Extreme choices may seem easy and efficient at first glance. However, if we remain unaware of the magnitude of what is being lost behind them, history will simply repeat itself.

2. Intellectual Armament Called the Golden Mean: Self-Defense Against Being Swallowed by the Temptation of Extremism

In a situation where extreme information and actions are overflowing, an intellectual defense strategy called the Golden Mean is necessary to protect oneself.

The Golden Mean is not mere ambiguity or indecisiveness. Rather, it is practical wisdom to avoid being swallowed by the temptation of extremism, to calmly assess the situation, to organize one's inner self, and to flexibly shift perspectives.

Perspective shifting, self-control, and situational judgment. By simply being conscious of these three frames, it becomes harder to be swept away by an extreme atmosphere, and stable judgment and action become possible in society, organizations, and even at home.

If more people choose a moderate stance, we can expect the effect of suppressing social division and exhaustion, and increasing the sustainability of relationships. Not leaning toward extremes and maintaining oneself becomes a quiet yet certain form of self-defense.

3. You Don't Have to Be Perfect; Reality Changes Just by Being Conscious

Continuing to practice the Golden Mean 100% is by no means easy. There will be times when you are swayed by emotions or use extreme words.

However, what is important is not to aim for "perfection," but to "keep being conscious."

The Golden Mean is not a one-time decision, but a accumulation of small daily thoughts and actions. The practice of changing perspectives, the habit of organizing one's inner self, and the calmness to assess situations. If you can be conscious of any of these, both the atmosphere of society and the individual's heart will begin to change little by little.

By not being swept away by extremes and continuing to maintain a range of choices, the acceleration of division can be stopped. The accumulation of just a little bit of consciousness brings a quiet sense of stability to both society and oneself.

4. Pride in Being Someone Who Can Choose, Precisely Because It Is Difficult

The Golden Mean is certainly a difficult choice. Extremism is easier and gains more evaluation. However, precisely because it is a difficult choice, those who can choose the Golden Mean are strong.

Even amidst the chaos 2,500 years ago, there were people who were not swallowed by extremes and chose the Golden Mean. The fact that this wisdom is still passed down across the ages is proof that the side effects of extremism are being repeated.

The present day is also an unstable era.
In such times, choosing the intellectual balance of the golden mean is both a matter of personal pride and a small step that leads to social stability.

In unstable times, the golden mean becomes a weapon.
Quietly, flexibly, and continuously refining oneself so as not to be swept away by extremes is the front line for overcoming chaos.

Something like an afterword

Thank you for reading this far.
It is easy to talk about the golden mean, but actually practicing it is more difficult than one might think.
In a daily life where extreme opinions fly about and one is exposed to waves of emotion, it is natural for anyone to feel lost or shaken.

Even so, when small acts of consciousness—such as "pausing," "shifting perspectives," or "regulating emotions"—accumulate, you grow into a person who is less easily swept away by extremes.

The golden mean does not have to be perfect.
I believe that the very act of continuing to choose it, even while feeling lost, is already a step toward the golden mean.

I would be happy if this article could serve as a catalyst for such quiet choices.

Profile | Kazuomi Matsunaga

🧭Thinking Navigator

Biography:Graduated from Kyushu University, Faculty of Engineering (Materials Science) ⇒ Engineer at a metal materials manufacturer in the Chukyo region (Production Technology) ⇒ Advertising sales for a local free paper in Nagasaki Prefecture ⇒ Educational institution staff (← currently here). A person in their 50s living in Nagasaki Prefecture. Both children have become university students and left the nest, and I am currently living with my wife.
I am a writer who lets thoughts play daily at the intersection of "questions" and "curiosity." Recently, I have been writing about my own unique perspectives on themes such as education, stories, psychology, AI, and design, centered on the serial column "The Science of Thought" series. I am exploring "free design of knowledge" that transcends existing frameworks. My motto is "Imagination opens up the world."
In my professional life, while working in university and education-related fields, I value carefully observing the moments when "people come to like something" and the scenes where "questions sprout."
🧭 I would be happy if I could deliver articles that leave you with one "new perspective" after reading them.
📮 Impressions and messages of support are always welcome!