Have you ever heard of "The Golden Mean"? Or probably about the 'Virtue Theory'?

Well, if we go back in Ancient Greece (of course, it is always Greece), and we talk to Aristotle (who, by the way, actually stole this idea from Ancient China) about what is 'courage', he would probably tell you the following thing. 

For a trait to be virtuous it has to be in a golden mean. That is to say, Aristotle believed that the equilibrium of 'virtue' is reached by a golden mean. But this idea of 'virtue' or 'being virtuous', we can expand it a bit further by "proper function". 

What is to be good or bad? What is proper function? 

Let's take for example a pen that has ink and its idea is to deliver ink for you to write. It's function is to write. Good pen is one that writes. Bad pen is one that doesn't write. It doesn't fulfill its function. Different entities have their own proper function, and believe it or not, it can be expanded to even human traits.

But how 'proper function' actually applies on' good' vs. 'bad'? 

Well, Aristotle says that 'a good man practises good deeds, by practising good deeds he becomes a good man', so with the 'bad man'. Let's think of an architect. A good architect is one who builds good walls. By building good walls, over and over again, he can become a better architect. A good, very good one. A bad architect builds bad walls. Such architect who continues to build bad walls will continue being a bad architect for he practises 'bad walls'. 

So the idea of being  virtuous depends on the practice. However, 'virtue' on its own - taken as 'a good thing' is questioned. What is the true color of 'virtue'? For it to function and be a virtuous act or a virtuous person, Aristotle mentions the golden mean. It is explained by the idea of 'courage'. Courage is seen as a virtue, a good thing to have! What is 'courage'? 

Well, one who is brave! 

X DING DING, WRONG.

One who doesn't fear anything!

X DING DING WRONG.

One who sacrifices and fights for whatever is to be defended! 

X DING DING WRONG.

We are not talking about 'linguistic definition', this is what you have to realize. For courage to be in its golden mean and be 'a good thing' (opposite of being bad and harmful), you have to feel fear but also bravery at the same time. A balance, of sorts.  

Aristotle says that if you have too much fear, 'courage' is in deficit and it results into 'cowardice'. Therefore, 'courage' that is in deficit gives a 'hypo-result'.  Opposite, if 'bravery' is too much, 'courage' is in abundance and it results into 'recklessness'. Therefore, 'courage in exaggeration gives a 'hyper-result'. 

Apparently, a trait, an emotion or a metaphysical object can be rendered with a golden mean. This blog entry bends 'the golden mean' to show how a lie can become in its most dangerous and most damaging state through the use of 'truth' in deficit. So to say, utilizing the truth despite making a lie out of it.

Let me put it that way. 

Have you heard of the saying, "Read between the lines"? Or.... "The truth is always somewhere in between"? 

Glad you have heard them, saves us both time.

Have you ever deeply analyzed these statements? 

The perfect lie, my dear reader, and the hardest to catch,  is the one that utilizes a small dose of the truth. It does not show the full color of 'truth', but it borrows from it to be painted by the shades of a truth. 

Does it start to make sense? 

Truth, according the golden mean is something very interesting. Can you even put a truth under a golden mean? Apparently you can with 'secrecy' which involves lack of honesty and excess of it.

But how about 'truth'? 

Deficit of truth should, logically, result in a lie, but what is the exaggeration of a truth? Again a lie? Manipulation? Or probably Solomon's Wisdom? 

Let's switch now, 'lie in the golden mean'. Can a lie even have a golden mean?

Some people may now come in and question the 'white lie'. Therefore, I want to scratch this with eagle claws. A white lie does not exist. It is a lie in its deficit. Let's end this long-lasting debate on 'white lie', okay?
-_- It is a truth in deficit. Not enough truth is said, therefore, it is a lie but 'not harming one'. So people say. -_-

So, a deficit - a white lie. What about a lie with exaggeration? Politics.  -COUGH COUGH- Sorry, a joke slipped. Can a lie be in its exaggeration state? Having excess of it? People will say, "Look, it is still a lie anyway; what's the point of applying 'golden mean'?" Hmmmmmm.

True. But using a golden mean can help bad people actually create/fabricate a lie very close to the truth and utilizing 'facts' to bend them in a way that takes away their truthfulness but still mislead because the 'receiver' is aware that 'such things indeed happened'. 

So, have you ever questioned 'history'? If you have, you may understand what I am saying.

Question time, "Can a truth become a lie, and can a lie become a truth"?  I leave this to more experienced philosophers.