Culture and Anarchy · Question
How does Culture and Anarchy develop the theme of Perfection and Self-Development?
Answer
Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold develops Perfection and Self-Development across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Culture is defined as the 'study of perfection,' which is an inward, harmonious, and continuous growth of all human powers, not a static possession of outward goods or mechanical achievements.
Arnold defines perfection as an inward, harmonious expansion of all human powers, not as material acquisition or narrow moralism.
Both Hebraism and Hellenism aim at man's perfection or salvation, though they pursue it by different courses.
Arnold argues that true perfection is the full, harmonious development of all human faculties, not a single 'one thing needful.'
Evidence in the book
- Sweetness and Light
Arnold defines perfection as an inward, harmonious expansion of all human powers, not as material acquisition or narrow moralism.
- IV: Hebraism and Hellenism
Both Hebraism and Hellenism aim at man's perfection or salvation, though they pursue it by different courses.
- Porro Unum Est Necessarium
Arnold argues that true perfection is the full, harmonious development of all human faculties, not a single 'one thing needful.'
- Chapter III
The chapter emphasizes cultivating delicacy of perception and harmonizing impulses under the idea of a perfected humanity.
- Chapter IV: Hebraism, Hellenism, and the Social Question
Arnold argues that the only absolute good is progress toward perfection, against which all other goods must be measured.
