Why is life imperfect? Why are human beings so deeply flawed? This week’s Philosophical Happy Hour looks at the imperfections and errors that characterize life—both those given to nature and those produced by our own choices.
To err is to be human. Is this a maxim for forgiveness or to excuse our follies? In some occasions it seems good counsel; not to judge ourselves or others too harshly for their faults, and to have humility regarding our present good fortune and choices. On others, it seems to be used as a blanket for hiding the severity of our faults. How do we distinguish between unavoidable imperfection, minor shortcomings, and major grievances?
The Meanings of Perfection and Imperfection
In the Aristotelian and Thomistic traditions of thought, to call something perfect is not necessarily to say it possesses every possible excellence. A thing is perfect when it is complete according to its kind and capable of fulfilling its proper end. “Imperfection”, therefore, may signify either a natural limitation or a genuine defect. Not every limit we encounter is a fault: finitude belongs to created life.
But some imperfections mark a failure to become what a thing ought to be. Here, we run into the conflict of our desires and imaginations and the natures of things. Most especially do we experience this conflict in ourselves.
Thus, given the fallibility of our own judgments, we rely not only on our own perception, but the testimony of others—family, friends, colleagues, experts, authorities. We extend this interpersonal dimension to institutions—schools, government, media, and so on. For the highest and most mysterious questions, we turn to religion—not only sacred scriptures, but authoritative interpreters of it.
The Causes of Human Error
Human beings err because they are human—which is to say, that our knowledge is always incomplete, our judgments are made with insufficient knowledge, we develop desires for things unfitting to our natures, and very often act under circumstances we cannot fully comprehend. Some errors arise from ignorance or accident; others from negligence, pride, fear, or habits knowingly acquired. Making distinctions in the sources of our errors helps us to see ourselves more clearly.
The maxim “to err is human” may therefore indeed invite or suggest a merciful attitude, even sympathy… but it cannot, and does not, absolve us of the responsibility for every error.
The Good of Imperfection
In art, what first appears to be a defect may ultimately contribute to the perfection of the whole: an irregular line, a dissonant note, or a stumble can all possess not only a fitting place within the painting, the song, or the play, but actually bring it to perfection. Human life is less neatly composed. A wrongful act does not become good merely because something beautiful later emerges from it.
Yet it is important for living well that we recognize how our faults may call forth genuine goods: not only the things of accidental consequence, but what could never happen had we never faltered—acts such as repentance, or courage, penance or restitution, courage; or for others, patience, forgiveness, and mercy.
We might well ask: is not only imperfection but even error a part of the good we experience in our lives?
Mutual Aid
No one sees all his own faults clearly; to the contrary, they are probably the faults we judge least accurately. We need not only forgiveness but also correction and counsel from others, to say nothing of good example. These all belong to the common work of human life. But helping another improve requires a certain prudence. What form of assistance enables another person not merely to feel better, but to become better?
Well, to be sure, none of us are perfect. But can we improve? Perhaps—and perhaps we can help each other do so. Join us this Wednesday (22 July 2026, from 5:45-7:15+ pm ET) as we think through these questions:
- When does “to err is human” rightly counsel mercy, and when does it excuse vice?
- Can error contribute to the good of a human life without becoming good in itself? What is the good in our faults?
- How can we distinguish natural imperfections from moral?
- How do we correct one another, help one another truly become better as persons?
philosophical happy hour
« »
Come join us for drinks (adult or otherwise) and a meaningful conversation. Open to the public! Held every Wednesday from 5:45–7:15pm ET.
No responses yet