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Perfectionism for children, anti-perfectionism for adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2020

Tim Fowler
Tim Fowler*
Affiliation:
SPAIS, University of Bristol, 11 Priory Road, BristolBS8 ITU, UK
*
*Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper explores the debate between perfectionists and anti-perfectionists in the context of children. It suggests that the most influential and compelling arguments in favour of anti-perfectionism are adult-centric. It does this by considering four leading reasons given in favour of anti-perfectionism and shows that none apply in the case of children. In so doing, the paper defends a perfectionist account of upbringing from the attacks made against perfectionism more generally. Furthermore, because the refutation of the various anti-perfectionist arguments are made exclusively dealing with children, the paper suggests that the perfectionist view of upbringing is compatible with anti-perfectionist restrictions on dealing with adults. This dual view combining perfectionism for children and anti-perfectionism for adults is referred to as restricted perfectionism.

Keywords

perfectionismpolitical liberalismchildreneducationpaternalism
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Philosophy , Volume 44 , Issue 3-4 , August 2014 , pp. 305 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Journal of Philosophy 2014

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