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Single Idea 22591

[filed under theme 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 6. Idealisation ]

Full Idea

We know of perfection as we look upon what is imperfect.

Gist of Idea

We know perfection when we see what is imperfect

Source

Iris Murdoch (Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals [1992], 13)

Book Ref

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.427

A Reaction

This is in the context of a discussion of the ontological argument for God's existence, but I seize on it as a nice expression of the idealisation capacity of our minds. The alternative is that perfection is innate idea, since we aren't seeing it.

The 22 ideas from Iris Murdoch

20765 Man is a brave naked will, separate from a background of values and realities [Murdoch]
22591 We know perfection when we see what is imperfect [Murdoch]
22341 Literature is the most important aspect of culture, because it teaches understanding of living [Murdoch]
23563 Philosophy moves continually between elaborate theories and the obvious facts [Murdoch]
22338 An unexamined life can be virtuous [Murdoch]
22337 Philosophy must keep returning to the beginning [Murdoch]
22339 Love is a central concept in morals [Murdoch]
22343 If I attend properly I will have no choices [Murdoch]
22340 It is hard to learn goodness from others, because their virtues are part of their personal history [Murdoch]
22342 Kantian existentialists care greatly for reasons for action, whereas Surrealists care nothing [Murdoch]
22345 Moral philosophy needs a central concept with all the traditional attributes of God [Murdoch]
22348 Ordinary human love is good evidence of transcendent goodness [Murdoch]
22346 Moral reflection and experience gradually reveals unity in the moral world [Murdoch]
22347 Appreciating beauty in art or nature opens up the good life, by restricting selfishness [Murdoch]
22350 Only trivial virtues can be possessed on their own [Murdoch]
22349 Art trains us in the love of virtue [Murdoch]
22351 Only a philosopher might think choices create values [Murdoch]
22709 We should first decide what are the great works of art, with aesthetic theory following from that [Murdoch]
22712 Art and morals are essentially the same, and are both identical with love [Murdoch]
22713 Love is realising something other than oneself is real [Murdoch]
22715 Great art proves the absurdity of art for art's sake [Murdoch]
22714 Because art is love, it improves us morally [Murdoch]