Pursuing Perfection : People, Groups, and Society

The pursuit of perfection is one of humanity's most basic aspirations. In the tradition of meliorism, this volume addresses timeless questions such as: How can we lead a better or more satisfying existence? How can we be happier than we are now? What must we know or do to achieve such an important, elusive goal? In the absence of everlastingly valid principles, the author proposes seven useful, if imperfect, guides for us to follow as we edge towards perfection—determinism, imperfection, singularity, perspective, evaluation, searching, and surprise. Drawing upon the findings of psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, and anthropologists, this volume challenges and helps its readers to improve their existence as individuals and as members of groups and society.