Sychaeus : The Greek Philosopher and Mathematician Who Embodied the Concept of the "Mean"

Sychaeus (Συχαίος) was a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 4th century BC. He was a pupil of Plato and one of the leaders of the Megarian school, which was a philosophical movement that emerged in Megara, a city in southern Greece.

Sychaeus is known primarily through the works of his contemporaries and successors, such as Aristotle and Diogenes Laertius. According to these sources, Sychaeus was a skilled mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of geometry. He is said to have written several works on mathematics, including a treatise on the theory of proportions and a commentary on Euclid's "Elements."

Sychaeus was also known for his philosophical ideas, which were influenced by Plato's teachings. He believed in the concept of the "mean" (or middle ground) and argued that virtue lay in finding a balance between opposing extremes. For example, he believed that courage was not simply about being fearless, but rather about finding the right balance between cowardice and rashness.

Despite his contributions to philosophy and mathematics, little is known about Sychaeus's life beyond his association with Plato and the Megarian school. He is thought to have lived in the 4th century BC and may have been active in the city of Megara, where he taught and wrote his works.