Does perfection exist?

[Jimmy]

I have friends and know of people that have been called perfectionists. This is often spoken of as a positive trait, although at times I have sensed that some also meant picky too.

One question that always comes to my mind on hearing such statements is "How do they know what is perfect?" for whatever it is they do. Or is it that they just like things a certain way that is pleasing to them and others find something pleasing about it too?

Does perfection in anything really exist? Wouldn't you have to know what is perfect in order to approach it? Is it logically possible to achieve perfection and how would you know?

Sure. But that is not perfection that can be objectively demonstrated to others. My idea of God would regard a state of perfection, but it is not going to be seen that way by everyone.

An object demonstration isn’t necessary with God

 

[ChristineM]

The one universal God of the universe\universes. The one God who is the source, creator, substainer of this universe\ universes. The one universal God\source\spirit all religions desribe in different ways

That narrows it down to about 3800 different gods.

 

[Truthseeker]

The one universal God of the universe\universes. The one God who is the source, creator, substainer of this universe\ universes. The one universal God\source\spirit all religions desribe in different ways

I agree with all of that, including the universe/universes part. Also it is true there is but one God behind all religions each with their different take depending on time and place.

 

[InChrist]

I have friends and know of people that have been called perfectionists. This is often spoken of as a positive trait, although at times I have sensed that some also meant picky too.

One question that always comes to my mind on hearing such statements is "How do they know what is perfect?" for whatever it is they do. Or is it that they just like things a certain way that is pleasing to them and others find something pleasing about it too?

Does perfection in anything really exist? Wouldn't you have to know what is perfect in order to approach it? Is it logically possible to achieve perfection and how would you know?

I believe perfection exists only in God the Creator of heaven and earth. No human can achieve perfection. Only the Son of God/Son of man, Jesus Christ was able to live the perfect human life because He was God in the flesh. He offers His perfect righteousness and an eternally perfect life to all who trust Him as Savior.

 

[InChrist]

I agree with all of that, including the universe/universes part. Also it is true there is but one God behind all religions each with their different take depending on time and place.

If there is but one God behind all the religions with their different takes, then I’d say that God is quite contradictory, confusing and schizophrenic.
The Bible claims that God who created heaven and earth is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). So it seems to me that it is people, with all their various ideas and religions about God, who are mistaken and confused.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

An object demonstration isn’t necessary with God

There is no means to objectively demonstrate God or it would have been done already.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Only God is perfect.

human beings is not perfect.

I am interested in the concept of perfection in a general sense and whether it is only subjective or if there is some objective perfection. I do not disagree and would believe the same. But is that perfection that all can observe and is the perfection of God something that might vary based on the observer?

 

[Jimmy]

There is no means to objectively demonstrate God or it would have been done already.

Obviously
That’s why it ain’t needed

 

[Spirit of Light]

I am interested in the concept of perfection in a general sense and whether it is only subjective or if there is some objective perfection. I do not disagree and would believe the same. But is that perfection that all can observe and is the perfection of God something that might vary based on the observer?

I think each human find their own level of perfection in this world So even i did find something i see as perfect, it does not mean you would think it is perfect, because your standard of perfect may be different

 

[Dan From Smithville]

I don't tend to believe in perfection (not in the human sense) - apart from getting the correct answer where necessary, as when solving problems that do have definite solutions. Other than this I think in my life any approach to perfectionism usually lies in the range just good enough to probably the best I can do, such that I rarely aim for being perfect and don't worry when I am inevitably not. I have won few things in life, particularly when such involved competition with others, and mostly never bothered about losing, given that the competition rarely meant much to me. But I don't like failing when I set myself tasks, and usually don't fail. As to perfectionism in any other areas, well it may be good for some but all too often all I see is focus that leads down a blind alley, or one which tends to exclude information that might tend to cause a change of direction.

Would you say that seeking perfection could blind us to greater creativity or our conception of perfection could lead us astray by being wrong?

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Perfect is the enemy of good.
- Voltaire

There does seem to be a consensus forming around that idea.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Yes. If it didn't, it would not be perfection.

Ciao

- viole

Aside from the circular, is there any way you can suggest that I or others can see what is perfect?

 

[Dan From Smithville]

View attachment 51165

Perhaps from your perspective this lovely feline is perfection, but you are a chief. As a rabbit, I might not be so inclined. Though have to admit it is a very good example of a cat.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Perfection is an ideal. It 'exists' as an ideal. But when we try to apply that ideal to reality, reality nearly always comes up short.

Ideals are often like a lighthouse. They are good for steering a course BY, but disastrous to steer directly AT.

This approximates my view of perfection nearly perfectly.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Perfectionism is a disability.
But if properly managed, it can be put to use.
In engineering it helps dedicate oneself to do
the best job, design iteration after iteration,
making it better & better.

I agree about perfectionism and I think you have correctly elaborated on how it be managed practically to good use.

Perfectionism is flawed in my estimation too. In part, because the perfect state does appear to be elusive and is much more credible as an ideal to guide us than an obsession to rule us.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

If there is but one God behind all the religions with their different takes, then I’d say that God is quite contradictory, confusing and schizophrenic.
The Bible claims that God who created heaven and earth is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). So it seems to me that it is people, with all their various ideas and religions about God, who are mistaken and confused.

Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and all the religions say the same thing about the others.

 

[rational experiences]

I have friends and know of people that have been called perfectionists. This is often spoken of as a positive trait, although at times I have sensed that some also meant picky too.

One question that always comes to my mind on hearing such statements is "How do they know what is perfect?" for whatever it is they do. Or is it that they just like things a certain way that is pleasing to them and others find something pleasing about it too?

Does perfection in anything really exist? Wouldn't you have to know what is perfect in order to approach it? Is it logically possible to achieve perfection and how would you know?

No.

The reasoning.

Imperfection has to exist for you to claim I would rather perfection. As we are experiencing imperfection itself.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Obviously
That’s why it ain’t needed

You lost me on that one.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

I think each human find their own level of perfection in this world So even i did find something i see as perfect, it does not mean you would think it is perfect, because your standard of perfect may be different

So you see standards as being subjective and as relative as individual concepts of perfection. I tend to agree.

 

[InChrist]

Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world and all the religions say the same thing about the others.

Yeah, that’s why I think the goal is finding truth, not religion.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

No.

The reasoning.

Imperfection has to exist for you to claim I would rather perfection. As we are experiencing imperfection itself.

This may be the lucid thing I have ever seen you post.

I think a state of perfection in generally anything appears to be conceptual rather than actual, but we can see imperfection on another relative scale.