John H. Choi, «The Doctrine of the Golden Mean in Qoh 7,15-18: A Universal Human Pursuit», Vol. 83 (2002) 358-374

Two issues surrounding the doctrine of the golden mean in Qoh 7,15-18 are addressed. First, a review and critique of previous research demonstrates that the passage indeed supports the golden mean, and does not present a theological problem to the reader. Secondly, the view that the golden mean is a Hellenistic product is challenged by considering: (1) the dating and (2) nature of cultural exchange between Greece and the Near East; (3) linguistic data indicating an early date of composition for Qoheleth; and (4) the presence of Near Eastern and Eastern ideas of the golden mean. These four factors demonstrate that the golden mean in Qoheleth likely is not of Greek origin from the time of Alexander the Great, but is likely a universal phenomenon.

II. The Golden Mean in Greek Literature

        This understanding of Qoheleth’s golden mean is much closer to Greek thought than has been previously held³², a fact that may lead some to classify Qoheleth as a product of the Hellenistic age. As is well known, the most influential articulation of the golden mean among the early Greek philosophers was Aristotle’s conception of the golden mean, which states that every virtue lies between two associated, but polar vices. The virtuous action is not an arithmetic average between the two extremes, however, for "sometimes, the right amount is much closer to one [extreme] than the other"³³. The determinants for the virtuous action include "the demands of the situation" ³⁴, along with the temperament of the individual³⁵. Based