# Perfection and Self-Development in Culture and Anarchy

> Theme guide for Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold.

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.

## Where it surfaces

- [Sweetness and Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iv): Arnold argues that the only absolute good is progress toward perfection, against which all other goods must be measured.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/themes/perfection_and_self_development
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/themes