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Chapter 4 - Perfectionism

from Part I - Human Perfection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2024

Robin Gill
Robin Gill
Affiliation:
University of Kent, Canterbury
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Summary

Chapter 4 looks at the more recent (and largely negative) concept of ‘perfectionism’ and, specifically (and with some reservations), at the distinction between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism within socio-psychology. This chapter looks critically at a recent ethical discussion by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics of cosmetic procedures designed to give people a ‘perfect body,’ but also notes that some form of obsessive perfectionism seems to be a feature of artistic, sporting and even moral genius. It offers human examples of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, including Steve Jobs, Ludwig Wittgenstein and the theatre producer Peter Brook, and concludes that perfectionism can be both dysfunctional and functional.

Keywords

student counsellingsocio-psychologyadaptive perfectionismmaladaptive perfectionismcosmetic proceduresNuffield Council on BioethicsLudwig WittgensteinSteve JobsPeter Brook
Type
Chapter
Information
Human Perfection, Transfiguration and Christian Ethics , pp. 82 - 98
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

Works Cited

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  • Perfectionism
  • Robin Gill, University of Kent, Canterbury
  • Book: Human Perfection, Transfiguration and Christian Ethics
  • Online publication: 09 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009476775.006
Available formats
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  • Perfectionism
  • Robin Gill, University of Kent, Canterbury
  • Book: Human Perfection, Transfiguration and Christian Ethics
  • Online publication: 09 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009476775.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Perfectionism
  • Robin Gill, University of Kent, Canterbury
  • Book: Human Perfection, Transfiguration and Christian Ethics
  • Online publication: 09 May 2024
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009476775.006
Available formats
×