Perfectionism (philosophy)
Under perfectionism (from the Latin perfectio perfection, perfectionism English, French perfectionnisme ) is understood in the ethics of a variant of the eudaimonistischen ethics. In contrast to the prudential variant of ethics, the perfectionism is not the question of their own good life, but that can be a good life for man as such. Because every single human being basically get all general human characteristics as an investment, it goes into this approach aim is to cultivate these plants and to perfect.
Similar to utilitarianism is the perfectionism is oriented to a purpose ( teleological ) theory, but not like those limited to a maximum benefit, but as achieving the good can exist in knowledge, wisdom, success, aesthetic beauty, self-realization or similar values . Although the interpretations of the good vary greatly, most theories of perfectionism is common that one can determine the desirable good content. The good has an objective character for a perfectionist and is not subject to human choice.
In a narrower version, the properties of a single individual is regarded to its perfection out the extent to which he can realize a true self. This individualistic view of perfectionism is opposed to the aspect of perfectionism in political philosophy, in which the objective is to orient the company on a morally good life.
Although the question of the " good life " is what the eudaimonistischen ethics, this does not in perfectionism that individuals must experience his perfection subjectively as happy or successful. This refers to the problem of individual standards and assessments. Whether or not objective or plausible standards can be found, remains open.
Older theories of perfectionism
The classical position of perfectionism can be found in Plato's Republic, where this ( personal perfectionism ) and the social groups (craftsmen, warriors, sages ) within the state creates the ideal of a balanced ratio of both parts of the soul of the individual. As everyone to do his part and he takes his rightful place in society, the ideal of the good can be achieved. The government take over the wise ( philosophers rule ), because they know best how good is to be realized. Plato outlined an aristocratic and paternalistic society here. Such a form of perfectionism, which is based on a clear idea of the good, one can criticize tending as Karl Popper as dangerous and intolerance of dissenting ideas about life.
The Aristotelian virtue ethics is classified as perfectionism. The highest goal of life, the bliss, the man reached by Aristotle in the pursuit of wisdom through a virtuous life. It belongs to the nature of man, that he developed his skills. He met his destiny when he trains his being in perfect form. But what is real virtue is to know a few ways. The truly virtuous man gets involved in the community ( polis ) and strives for a certain reason through life.
In the state image of Aristotle, the political leaders are characterized by a special knowledge and a superior morality. Task of the state is to enable the self-perfection of the individual. In this respect also contributes Aristotle the ideal state paternalistic traits.
In modern philosophy Leibniz meant for perfecting a " growth of clear and distinct ideas ". For Immanuel Kant, the self-improvement is one of the ethical obligations. (GMS, AA IV, 423 ) Kant, however, rejected the paternalism of the state. While it is responsible for a virtuous life of the individuals themselves, the state is constrained to regulate human coexistence. It is not among the duties of the state to prescribe the man as he has to live. " Not a paternal, but a patriotic government ( imperium non paternal, sed patrioticum ) is that which can be, at the same time intended solely for people who are capable of rights in relation to the benevolence of the ruler. [ ... ] This right of freedom comes to him, the limb of the commonwealth, as a human being, so far this fact is a being that is at all of the rights capable of " Wilhelm von Humboldt saw the state similar to Kant first libertarian ". The State abstain from all care for the positive welfare of the citizens, and go no step further than to their security against himself, and foreign enemies is necessary. " but at the same time he pursued a perfectionist ideal in education. The free state of law allows the citizens " the highest and proportionierlichste training its forces in their individual peculiarity. "
The idea of perfectionism is also found in Nietzsche's superman, a perfect, beyond good and evil itself engendering and perfecting man. However, his idea is closely based on the elitist image of Plato.
The perfectionism Nietzsche is an ethic of self-realization.
Henry Sidgwick saw in the individual perfection the highest good. He characterized the moral virtue as the most valuable element of human excellence. For Oswald Külpe pursuing perfectionism " the perfection or perfection as the end of moral will. " Dem perfectionism also corresponds to the ethical attitude that something as good Detected to be loved and pursued for its own sake. Such views can be found in Brentano, Moore and WD Ross.
Modern positions of perfectionism
The modern perfectionism is characterized by the confrontation with liberalism, which calls for a full ( libertarianism ), or at least largely ( Liberalism ) neutrality of the state in regard to the self-realization of the individual. This position is formulated, for example, by Ronald Dworkin as follows:
In contrast, Ulrich Steinvorth notes with Amy Gutmann, that this fundamental principle of democratic legitimacy has a gap. Other hand, Gutmann is the principle of the democratic minimum level, which even before any democratic decision-making on the allocation citizens are entitled to a much resources that it can participate in an appropriate manner to the politics and culture of their own society. Gutmann's principle is a violation of the neutrality of the state and is explained by the production of equal opportunities. The State shall promote the facilities of all, it is paternalistic act. Gutmann defends this with the public interest, children become good citizens (good citizens ) to educate. It stands in the tradition of John Dewey ( Democracy and education ), for it was a goal of education, to influence democratic attitudes.
The conflict between liberalism and perfectionism is mitigated by Joseph Raz, that he recognizes the autonomy as a fundamental value of the good. However, autonomy is not an absolute value, but only to protect credibility as long as it is considered morally valuable facts. If the autonomy leads to repulsive options, it is the government allowed to limit the autonomy of the individual. A similar position also represents Thomas Hurka, for perfectionism is determined by the fact that " the best political action, institution or government is that which promotes the perfection of all people. "
Joseph Chan distinguishes an extreme perfectionism that is based solely on the perceived values it, of a moderate perfectionism, which is characterized mainly by four points:
The position of perfectionism was a recent discussion with Stanley Cavell, who speaks with reference to Ralph Waldo Emerson from a moral perfectionism in recent times. Cavell understands his thoughts not as an independent moral theory, but as critical considerations traditional, both teleological and deontological theories, in which he explicitly deals with John Rawls. Output is the notion of an imperfect, but vervollkommenbaren self ( unattained, but Attainable self), which develops in a constant process. This self is trainable and educable and strives existentially after a continuous improvement of its own as well as his social world. Moral philosophy must for Cavell not stand in the elaboration of a principle of what is right or good, but must be taken into account with other people and the integration of morality into the actual conditions of life, in the necessary communication. Man is involved in concrete relationships in obligations, loyalties and confrontations. Perfectionism means out a constant striving to improve from the existing conditions. According to Cavell, a society needs to perfectionism because institutions are only as strong, just and effective as the people who animate them, apply and criticize. For the promotion of social values Cavell calls for a therapeutic use of elites. After Cavell sets of individual perfectionism requires authenticity and is an ongoing process of self-criticism. The normative influence of third parties will be rejected. In this way, the perfectionism is open-ended and, contrary to the criticism of Rawls is not teleological.
A critical examination of the perfectionism is found in John Rawls ' A Theory of Justice ".
See also: eudaimonia, Philosophical Anthropology, Ideal, Meliorism