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what is ~ Perfection?
2. An ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
3. The act of making something perfect
Most commonly, we all understand this term perfection as an ideal. We understand it’s meaning to us, and are quick to denounce it’s real substance, when we say, "nothing is perfect", or "in a perfect world.." We listen to each other’s points of view and debate, and when it comes to ideas and ideals, the conversation may well conclude with one of these common sayings.
So, the term does have common meaning for all of us. Even though we may not ponder on the subject at any great depth, it appears that we all have some common understanding of what we mean when we use the term. This is of quite special significance in itself. When was the last time someone asked you, "perfect?... what does that mean?"
Perfection has it’s roots firmly planted in idealism. That is to say, the notion of perfection is an idea from the mind. Idealism is itself concerned with the ideas and notions of what is possible; of possibilities; of potential; of aspirations; of imaginations. Thus idealism and it’s sibling perfection, aspire towards the unrealised, and strive for what some may say as impracticable wants, needs and ideas.
The idealist would argue his philosophy has a much deeper meaning than this, and may even propose that ideas are the only reality. Yet for most of us, these notions for ideals and perfection are understood more in terms of potential and possibilities, rather than grounded in the reality of the world that we experience around us. For most of us, there are clear boundaries, and the notion and understanding of what is right and wrong, a rule or yardstick by which we measure what happens, against what we think should happen; an ethical or moral code of practice.
We all have an understanding or perception of what happens to be, and thus, submit to the ideas of what we should do or act upon. We all think and debate about the things in life that concern or trouble our minds, and draw conclusions as to what actions we could take to correct things and make them better. Yet many of these ideas and conclusions are merely cast aside as impossible solutions, instead of making any reasonable attempts to act them out, we simple sigh, and yield to a lack of control or authority to make them happen.
Do we cast aside these notions of perfection and possibilities, and potential too easily?
For many of us, the answer to this is yes, (unfortunately). Yet for some, who can realise potential and possibility, who can realise their own inherent nature and potential; these individuals do act upon their aspirations and ideas. Success is a measure of the will to succeed or act upon one’s own ideals and notions of what should be. This is the nature of the entrepreneur, the leader of men, the innovator, the pioneer, both the famous and the infamous, in fact, it is the nature of any person who wishes to succeed and who aspires to the notions of potential, of idealism and perfectionism.
Yet perfection is not merely the goal to realise potential and act upon it. It has a much deeper or higher aspiration of potential, and is also responsible for the more compulsive ideas and notions of possibilities, and the compulsion to act on them. Perfection is the strive for the highest attainment. It is the strive for the unrealised potential. It is the belief in the existence of the perfect thing, or state of being. It is the belief that perfection exists, and can be known, understood, and reached.
The perfectionist strives for perfection. This obsession and compulsion can lead to very positive results, but can also be the cause of negative thoughts and actions. Or at least the misunderstandings and perceptions of perfection lead us all into judgment and different opinions as to what this notion actually means. What is the truth...of perfection?
Since both truth and perfection are ideals, no one person or mind can claim to understand them fully, or even if they could claim so, for the rest of us the meaning is still lost. Even if one found the goal of truth and perfection, explaining it to another would be impossible, unless they too have found and could understand and appreciate the meaning of it.
Thus we are all reliant upon perception and judgment of these ideals. And is this not where all the trouble begins?
There have been great leaders, and there have been dictators. There have been ‘good’ men, and there have been ‘evil’ men. All these appear to have possessed notions and ideas of perfection, and have attempted to change the world, and to shape it to their understanding and perceptions. Their compulsion was driven by their own judgments and understanding of what the perfect world, or society should be. This has lead to many wars, genocide and persecution, and the discrimination of any who may disagree. And behind these negative thoughts and actions, there appears to be this underlying misunderstanding or judgment, this subtle realisation of the term perfection.
Yet it is not the ideal that is the villain here, it is the ignorance of man and his lack of understanding of this ideal that has been the cause of troubles. It may be true, that by discarding these notions of perfection entirely, these judgments and any misguided enterprise may be avoided altogether. Yet this still does not lead us to any real understanding of this notion of perfection. It does not help us to understand it’s origin, simply by denying these ideas and aspirations.
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