The mediocrat is a materialist. Mediocracy is an orientation towards something equal. He is platonic and believes in the number and the word. That which is not measurable does not exist. His greatest fear is death. This orientation materialises itself through the quest for comfort. He believes in quantity. Athens. He achieves fulfilment through experiencing mass, such as watching a football match.

The aristocrat believes in a transcending metaphysical order. Aristocracy is an orientation towards something higher. He is heraclitean and does not trust the word, nor the number which may not encapsulate the paradox of reality. He achieves immortality through death. This orientation materialises itself through the quest for glory. He believes in quality. Sparta. He experiences fulfilment through individual self-surpassing, such as alpinism.

Any class can share both orientations. For instance, a merchant can be an entrepreneur (aristocratic), driven by a vision; or a bourgeois (mediocratic), driven by procedures and calculations. Similarly, the martial class can be a warrior (aristocratic) or a soldier (mediocratic). Two instances of the former are the samurai and the crusader/orders of chivalry.

The cause of the orientation of the soul is unclear. The qualities of an aristocrat are:

• asceticism
• heroism

These are not virtues, but habits acquired through diligent action, per St. Thomas. Therefore, "hard times create strong men" is a possible explanation.

• Next: Rationalism