Ethica Nicomachea and
The Golden Mean
Aristotle is a Greek philosopher who lived around 2,500 years ago. In the year 2025, the discussions, conversations, reflections, and opinions around ‘sustainability’ are just as lively as many of his quotes have been for centuries, a great reason to ‘use’ a few of them in this blog.
In a news report from April this year, we read that the Dutch government is “looking ahead realistically.” In other words, when we read that sustainability requirements are being scaled down, it means the regulations are becoming somewhat less urgent and pressing.
The Golden Mean
So, what is right or wrong if our country, or any other decides to ease off the (green) gas pedal? The subject of ‘sustainability’ is so broad that, in my view, there’s no single clear-cut answer. How fitting: “Some people are as confident in the correctness of their opinions as others are in what they actually know,” as Aristotle pointed out quite some time ago.
It is a challenge to keep a country attractive for investment, business activity, and employment, while maintaining overall economic stability. Oh yes, and a healthier environment too, now, and especially later.
The core, as cliché as it may sound, often lies in finding the balance between economic stability and far-reaching sustainability demands. On this, ‘Aris’ offered one of his most well-known quotes: the Golden Mean. It’s about finding the middle ground between two extremes (how beautiful: courage, for example, is found between recklessness and cowardice).
Sustainability as a product of economic health
In that light, current decision-making can be seen as an attempt to combine green ambition with a healthy economy — or rather: to pursue sustainability from a healthy economy. That doesn’t mean the transition isn’t necessary; it certainly is, perhaps even in how we think.
For example, you can introduce a plastic tax — but also work towards a cheaper recycling process, whether or not supported by subsidies. Or all of the above, even better. Companies like Ioniqa (NL) are a good example of how innovation can work (though they unfortunately still lose out to cheap new plastic, whose true cost isn’t reflected in the price…).
But things can also be more complex. Take Tata Steel: massive subsidies for fossil fuels and no sustainable process. Do you recklessly dig in your heels? Keep subsidising? Crack down on an Indian-owned company? Do we accept the risk of negative effects like mass layoffs and carbon leakage? Or do we approach it pragmatically: Tata will embrace sustainability once it’s more financially and legally appealing than leaving the Netherlands.
Once again — where do we find our courage here?
At Logicall, things aren’t quite so complex, thankfully. Still, we too are looking ahead with realism. Partly to live up to what we say (see blog: Supply Claim Management), and partly because the transition progresses in steps, guided by economic interests.
In our own transition, we continue to explore biofuels, electrification, sustainable packaging materials, smarter packaging methods, efficient order coordination, and collaborations with customers and suppliers. We don’t just look at the hard numbers, but also value the qualitative impact: awareness, perception, and engagement because our people take that mindset home with them.
Which brings us to the title, Ethica Nicomachea, the name of a collection of ten works by Aristotle, centred on a key question: “What is the good life?” His answer: “A life in which we rationally strive for the right balance. So what’s the right approach? Acting according to reason — with wisdom, moderation, and a focus on the sustainable good.”
Sometimes, the middle ground may seem too timid or too bold — but to me, it’s a perfectly sound and sustainable place to start.
Oh, and the Greek name Nicomachus? It means “victor in battle.” A fitting aspiration — and a fitting way to close this blog. Onwards to the year 2500.
Evert Stijkel – Head of ESG