Ideas from 'Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals' by Iris Murdoch [1992], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals' by Murdoch,Iris [Chatto and Windus 1992,0-7011-3998-6]].

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15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 6. Idealisation
We know perfection when we see what is imperfect
                        Full Idea: We know of perfection as we look upon what is imperfect.
                        From: Iris Murdoch (Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals [1992], 13)
                        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.