Perfectionism for children, anti-perfectionism for adults

Canadian Journal of Philosophy 44 (3-4):305-323 (2014)
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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.

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Citations of this work

Paternalism.Jessica Begon - 2016 - Analysis 76 (3):355-373.
How bad can a good enough parent be?Liam Shields - 2016 - Canadian Journal of Philosophy 46 (2):163-182.
Childhood, education and distribuendum gaps.Lars Lindblom - 2020 - Ethics and Education 15 (1):48-61.

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References found in this work

Political Liberalism.J. Rawls - 1995 - Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 57 (3):596-598.
Force and freedom: Kant's legal and political philosophy.Arthur Ripstein - 2009 - Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
The Morality of Freedom.Joseph Raz - 1986 - Philosophy 63 (243):119-122.
What is a child?Tamar Schapiro - 1999 - Ethics 109 (4):715–738.

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