Can there be degrees of perfection?

[totustuus2345]

Are there be Degrees of perfection? God is perfect, so, once we get to heaven we will be in a state of perfection, therefore will we be as perfect as God? Or is God infinitely more perfect that we? A non divine example : 1 and 2 are both perfect numbers, but 2 is infinitely greater that 1, so would it be logical to conclude that there can be degrees of perfection separated by an infinite, therefore unable to be overcome, differences? Just 2 different modes of perfection?

XC
Patrick

 

[JRKH]

Not a philosopher but here is 2c from an old inspector and Quality Professional.

Someone brings me two “identical” components to measure and each component has 10 critical dimensions on it. Naturally every dimension has a “Tolerance” attached to it, that is the amount plus or minus it can vary and still pass inspection.
I inspect the first item and find every dimension to be dead on center
I inspect the other and find that every dimension is at the very edge of the tolerance but still within spec.
Both items will be passed without comment, no special stickers or any other way to denote one from the other. Why? because one is just as “perfect” as the other in regards to the required specifications.

That takes care of the parts, But what of “The Process” that poduced the parts. That is another issue. If we assume that the process has been shown to be capable, that is it is able to keep tolerances well within the spec zone, the The Process that produced the “Dead on” part will produce all “perfect” parts. However the process that produced the marginal part will likely produce only 50% “perfect” parts. This is because any variation in the wrong direction will produce garbage.

Now this is oversiplified, but demonstrates the answer(s) to your question.
Perfection in a finished product is set by a given set of standards. once the standards are met, there is no significant difference in “Perfection” between parts in a group.
On the other hand, the process by which the products are made can and will exibit and produce variation in the parts produced. Once the parts are produced they are either “Perfect” or “Scrap”. Therefore it is the process that must be monitored, centered, and “perfected” so that it produces all good (perfect) parts.

Those who have made it to heaven are perfect. They are in the set of “Perfect” parts and so there is no need to determine if one is “more perfect” than another.
The real place that needs to be watched and monitored is the “process” by which we are “produced” or “perfected” so that we may be placed in the good (heaven) group and not in the bad (hell) group. Not only must we strive to meet the minimum specs, we must strive to improve and center the process of becoming perfected in Christ.

Anyway that’s how an old machinist and inspector looks at things.

Peace
James

 

[davidv]

Are there be Degrees of perfection? God is perfect, so, once we get to heaven we will be in a state of perfection, therefore will we be as perfect as God? Or is God infinitely more perfect that we? A non divine example : 1 and 2 are both perfect numbers, but 2 is infinitely greater that 1, so would it be logical to conclude that there can be degrees of perfection separated by an infinite, therefore unable to be overcome, differences? Just 2 different modes of perfection?

XC
Patrick

Based on the reading of the references for “perfection” in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, there are degrees of perfection.

Also our perfection, since we are a creature, will not equal that of the creator. The degrees of perfection are related to the intrinsic nature of the creature. The perfection of an ameoba is different from that of the perfection of a wheat plant is different from the perfection of an arabian horse, etc.

How is 2 infinitely greater than 1? The difference is 1, which is a very long way for infinity.

 

[totustuus2345]

How is 2 infinitely greater than 1? The difference is 1, which is a very long way for infinity.

I meant that in the mindset that the value of 2 cannot ever be the same as one, it is an impassable space between 1 and 2,1 can’t become 2 without some fuction being applied to 1 except when dividing by zero, which, as we all know, is undefined.

1 x 0 = 0
2 x 0 = 0

1 x 0 = 2 x 0

1 x 0/0 = 2 x 0/0

1 = 2; algebraicly and logically untrue

it’s an infinite void between 1 and 2

 

[davidv]

I meant that in the mindset that the value of 2 cannot ever be the same as one, it is an impassable space between 1 and 2,1 can’t become 2 without some fuction being applied to 1 except when dividing by zero, which, as we all know, is undefined.

1 x 0 = 0
2 x 0 = 0

1 x 0 = 2 x 0

1 x 0/0 = 2 x 0/0

1 = 2; algebraicly and logically untrue

it’s an infinite void between 1 and 2

Thanks for the clarification. Lots of bells and whistles went off in my highly nerdy “engineering” brain when I read the quoted post.

 

[JimG]

There are different kinds of perfection.

In heaven, we will be perfect morally, and perhaps we will be perfect as human beings.

But God is a divine being. He possesses ontological perfection.

A perfect circle is not more perfect than a perfect square.

But a perfect sphere might be said to have a higher degree of ontological perfection, in that it possesses three dimensions rather than two.

And an entirely spiritual being has a higher degree of ontological perfection than a bodily being.

And a being which is both infinite and perfect possesses the highest degree of ontological perfection.

 

[gpauls]

Everything can be perfected, but only according to its essence. The essence of man is higher than that of a brick, so a perfect man is more perfect than a perfect brick. Another way to look at it is that a perfect man has more being than a perfect brick and therefore ranks higher. This is more or less the same answer as those above; I thought different wording may help slightly.