Difference between revisions of "Perfectionism straw-man"
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==About== | ==About== | ||
| − | + | A [[perfectionism straw-man]] is any [[argument]] of the general form "we can never do X perfectly, therefore there is no point in trying to do X at all", i.e. replacing a possibly-realistic goal with a [[straw-man]] goal of perfection. It can also be seen as a form of [[moving the goalposts]], where the goalposts are moved infinitely far away. | |
| − | A goal of ''reducing'' evil, | + | This argument is generally used to maintain the status quo by discussing change in terms suggesting that anything short of perfection would be unsatisfactory. |
| + | ==Example== | ||
| + | A reasonable goal of ''reducing'' evil, or reducing the harm done by evil, or reducing evil in a certain specified context, becomes the impossible goal of ''eliminating all'' evil. | ||
Revision as of 00:48, 23 May 2013
About
A perfectionism straw-man is any argument of the general form "we can never do X perfectly, therefore there is no point in trying to do X at all", i.e. replacing a possibly-realistic goal with a straw-man goal of perfection. It can also be seen as a form of moving the goalposts, where the goalposts are moved infinitely far away.
This argument is generally used to maintain the status quo by discussing change in terms suggesting that anything short of perfection would be unsatisfactory.
Example
A reasonable goal of reducing evil, or reducing the harm done by evil, or reducing evil in a certain specified context, becomes the impossible goal of eliminating all evil.