Perfectionism: An Ethical Theory of the Soul

Perfectionism is the continuative process of will in obtaining the optimal or best quality of mental spiritual physical and material being. The perfectionist does not necessarily believe that one can achieve perfect life; rather, it is persistent process in obtaining the best possible life or state of living. Perfectionism, in ethics and value theory, has a long history and has been addressed by several eminent philosophers. Aristotle stated his notion of good life as eudaemonia. The philosopher Stanley Cavell develops the concept of moral perfectionism as the idea to reach an unattained self to the attainable self that one ought to reach. According to Immanuel Kant, perfectionism is a universal moral law (categorical imperative) by which we can rationally determine whether an action is right or wrong. According to John Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism view, the good action is that which cause least harm or the greatest good for greatest number. Perfectionism has acquired several meaning in contemporary moral and political philosophy. This term used to refer to an account of good human life, an account of human well being, a moral theory and an approach to politics. Aristotle, Karl Marx, Aquinas, Spinoza, T.H.Green are perfectionist according to their approach. The foundation philosophies of India such as Buddhism, Jainism and Advaita Vedanta have also promoted different kinds of perfectionism.