Question

Someone said that ideal is when everything is perfect, but success is when you go from complete catastrophe to something workable. Because almost nothing in this world is ideal except for mathematics, it would seem that success is the greater virtue, as Albert Einstein said, "As far as laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."

What do other philosophers have to say about the difference between ideal vs. success?

Answer 1

In philosophy, different perspectives exist on the difference between ideal and success. Perfectionism emphasizes the concept of perfecting oneself or society, while another perspective links success to human flourishing and harmony with nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

In philosophy, there are different perspectives on the difference between ideal and success. One approach is perfectionism, which focuses on the concept of perfecting oneself or society. Thomas Aquinas believed that the goal in life is to become a perfect image of God, while Baruch Spinoza argued that people pursue what increases and perfects their powers and capacities. Another perspective is that success is closely tied to human flourishing and being in harmony with nature. The closer we are to nature, the more likely we are to succeed. Success is seen as a greater virtue because it involves going from failure or catastrophe to something workable.

Additionally, the Chinese philosopher Confucius emphasized preparation and learning as prerequisites for success, advocating for continuous improvement and ethical living. In general, philosophy recognizes that while ideals may be unattainable, success is measured by progression towards workable solutions and personal betterment, often in harmony with nature and ethical principles.