Table of Contents
What is perfectionism in history?
The term is used to refer to an account of a good human life, an account of human well-being, a moral theory, and an approach to politics. Historically, perfectionism is associated with ethical theories that characterize the human good in terms of the development of human nature.
Does perfection exist philosophy?
According to Plato’s Theory of Forms, perfection cannot exist in the physical world but only the realm of the philosophers; the ones who choose to lurk deeper in the veiled mysteries of metaphysics. According to Plato, his Theory of Forms states perfection only lives in the realm of thought.
Where did the idea of perfection come from?
The genealogy of the concept of “perfection” reaches back beyond Latin, to Greek. The Greek equivalent of the Latin “perfectus” was “teleos.” The latter Greek expression generally had concrete referents, such as a perfect physician or flutist, a perfect comedy or a perfect social system.
What is perfection in life?
Perfection suggests a state of flawlessness, without any defects. Seeking perfection at a particular task might be achievable, and certainly, students can strive to attain a perfect grade, or you can try to accomplish a perfect job at something. Yet, the goal of being perfect in life is altogether a different story.
Why do we strive for perfection philosophy?
We might strive for perfection because it gives us a goal to reach in life; a life’s purpose perhaps.
What is human perfection?
Description: Perfection may be seen as the actualizing of the highest human potential. Religious tradition sees perfectibility of human beings as realized in identification or union with the perfect in ultimate reality.
What does the idea of perfection mean?
Perfection is a flawless state where everything is exactly right. It can also be the action of making something perfect. Since perfect things are without fault or flaw, perfection is a perfect condition — everything is 100% great.
What is a perfection?
Definition of perfection 1 : the quality or state of being perfect: such as. a : freedom from fault or defect : flawlessness. b : maturity. c : the quality or state of being saintly.
What is Aristotelian concept of perfection?
Perfection is given by Aristotle as a formal property which happiness must possess. However, he also makes use of the notion of perfection in giving his own definition of happiness after developing the argument from the function of man.
What does it mean to strive for perfection?
Striving for perfection means to focus on the process – cadence, breath, form, and other parts of the here-and-now. The striving perfectionist uses his energy to move toward the goal, as opposed to worrying about the outcome. In contrast, the ‘neurotic perfectionist’ ruminates on past performance that was imperfect.
What is moral perfection?
Moral perfection is morally ultimate. Nothing less than the best is perfect. The agent of a morally imperfect act is not a morally perfect agent. An act is morally imperfect if its agent thereby neglects one that is morally better.
Is perfection a value?
In other words, something is perfect when its reality corresponds to its concept. But the value of this thing (or of this concept) remains to be determined. Consequently, the perfection of a thing characterizes its essence, and not its value.
What is perfection in your own words?
What truly is perfection?
According to the Oxford dictionary, the word “perfect” means, “having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.” Perfection is a distinct concept that has evolved over the course of time.
What is perfection in Oxford dictionary?
1having everything that is necessary; complete and without faults or weaknesses in perfect condition a perfect set of teeth Well I’m sorry—but nobody’s perfect (= used when someone has criticized you).
What is the paradox of perfection?
The paradox of perfectionism, says Palmer, is that perfectionists often under-perform in all areas of life. Flexible thinkers, on the other hand, those who say “I’ll aim to do my best, but if I don’t achieve it, too bad”, tend to be more successful, happier, and more balanced.
Why do we need perfection?
We love authenticity and we know that life is messy and imperfect. We get sucked into perfection for one very simple reason: We believe perfection will protect us. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.
What was Franklin’s approach to perfection?
Franklin’s list included temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, and chastity. When he shared his list with a friend of his, Franklin was rankled to learn that many people thought him proud. As a result, he added humility to the list.
What is a perfect good?
A perfectly good being has the best desires that a being can have, and exhibits the best traits of character, and acts in an unsurpassably excellent way. This practical excellence is, furthermore, typically understood as moral excellence (Morris 1989b, p.
What is perfectionism in ethics?
In ethics and value theory, perfectionism is the persistence of will in obtaining the optimal quality of spiritual, mental, physical, and material being. The neo-Aristotelean Thomas Hurka describes perfectionism as follows: This moral theory starts from an account of the good life, or the intrinsically desirable life.
What is perfection in philosophy?
The formality of perfection is ordinarily to be found, in the real order, resident in a being that is in other respects imperfect. The transcendentality of the concept lies in its conceptual proximity to being and the good. A thing is perfect to the extent that it is; its actuality formally determines its perfectness.
What is the history of perfectionism?
History Perfectionism, as a moral theory, has a long history and has been addressed by influential philosophers. Aristotle stated his conception of the good life (eudaimonia).
How did the Renaissance define perfection?
Daniele Barbaro, in his 1567 translation of Vitruvius, classically defined perfection as “that which lacks nothing and to which nothing can be added.” The Renaissance showed a marked concern with preeminence in perfection.
How can perfectionism enrich contemporary moral philosophy?
By expanding the domain of ethical concern, it has the potential to enrich contemporary moral philosophy (Hurka 1993, 5). Different perfectionist theories offer different accounts of the content of self-regarding duties. Generally speaking, it is useful to distinguish negative from positive duties to oneself.