Psychology reveals the idea of perfection not as the attainment of a final result, but as an infinite process of moving toward higher goals and self-improvement.

Perpetual Growth: Embracing Perfection as an Ongoing Journey

Psychology reveals the idea of perfection not as the attainment of a final result, but as an infinite process of moving toward higher goals and self-improvement. The ideals embedded in the philosophical works of the 19th century and developed by eminent thinkers such as Wundt show that our inner life is a constant flow of energy striving to uncover new levels of spiritual development. In the era of German idealism, perfection was seen as a dynamic ideal, where the divine manifested itself through the continual self-revelation of both the world and man. Modern psychological approaches confirm this notion by encouraging inner growth through overcoming both external and internal barriers, emphasizing that every act of overcoming becomes a starting point for new achievements. Thus, rather than a static concept of perfection, psychology proposes viewing it as an exciting journey where each step toward development unveils remarkable opportunities for self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Can the concepts of perfection and development coexist from a psychological standpoint, and how should we define the very notion of perfection?

From the perspective of psychology, the concepts of perfection and development can indeed be combined. Here, the idea of perfection is not seen as a final stage or a static state, but rather as an ideal toward which the psyche continually strives through ongoing development and self-improvement. For example, one source cites the view of 19th-century German idealistic philosophy, which claimed that the development of world life is a process of the self-revelation of the divine, with the ultimate goal being the complete embodiment of divinity in man. In this sense, perfection is understood as a dynamic ideal, achieved through continuous development ( link txt).

Furthermore, it is mentioned that in Wundt’s works, the ethical ideal is considered as the boundless development of a person's spiritual powers, accompanied by the gradual elimination of obstacles along the path to that development. This perspective emphasizes that perfection is not a static achievement but rather a constant forward motion that opens up new levels of psychological activity.

Thus, when viewed through the lens of psychology, perfection is defined as a process in which a person's inner forces strive for limitless growth and development, with a successful path to perfection being tied to the removal of both internal and external barriers impeding this progress.

Supporting citation(s):
"In the 19th century, the majestic yet unstable foundation for the idea of perfection was set by German idealistic philosophy, which, in the figure of Hegel, taught that the development of world life is a process of the self-revelation of the divine, that the goal of this development is the complete embodiment of divinity in man, and that this development is subject to the laws of logical necessity. ... Thus, Wundt, in his 'Ethics', by assigning the ethical ideal to the realm of the infinite, defines it, on the one hand, as the boundless development of a person's spiritual forces and, on the other hand, as the gradual reduction of obstacles opposing this development." (source: link txt)