Perfectionist Fallacy
The perfectionist fallacy is the argument that if a task or goal cannot be achieved perfectly or with complete certainty, it is not worth attempting, thereby dismissing the value of partial progress or effort.
THE IDEA
2.7 PERFECTIONIST FALLACY
The perfectionist fallacy dismisses a worthwhile effort because it cannot achieve a perfect or complete result. A low chance of success can be a legitimate reason to reject a plan; the fallacy arises when an unattainable ideal is used to dismiss the value of partial progress. For example:
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We will never be able to fully eradicate crime on the streets of Oakland; therefore we should not waste our time and energy trying.
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To create a coffee company that can truly compete with Java House is impossible. Therefore, we should not open a coffee shop. This is fallacious if it ignores the possibility of a worthwhile smaller business; evidence that the shop would not be viable would be a separate reason to reject it.
In other words, the perfectionist fallacy states: if you cannot do something perfectly (or if you cannot finish something), then you should not even attempt it. This assumes that there is a right way to reach a goal, and that the end result is more important than the process or experience of working toward it. Another way of stating this fallacy is as follows: if you can’t do x in a particular manner, then you shouldn’t do it at all. Here are some final examples:
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My artwork will never be as good as Picasso’s or Chagall’s. Therefore, I will not waste my time with it.
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I keep going back to cigarettes. I have tried so many times to quit, but I can’t. I’ll always struggle with this. So, I guess I’ll just keep smoking.
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If you cannot be a perfect husband, then why do you want to get married in the first place?
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I’ll never be fluent in French, so I dropped my French class.
The relevant question is whether the attainable result, or the learning gained in pursuing it, justifies the cost. Falling short of an ideal does not settle that question.
When to use it
A manager rejects a software update because it won't fix all bugs, ignoring the benefits of partial improvement.
A student drops a challenging course because they can't achieve a perfect grade, missing learning opportunities.
A policy maker dismisses a law that reduces crime by 10% because it doesn't eliminate crime entirely.
An artist stops creating because they cannot match the success of established artists, losing personal fulfillment.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Eradicating crime in Oakland
We will never be able to fully eradicate crime on the streets of Oakland; therefore we should not waste our time and energy trying.
Coffee shop competition
To create a coffee company that can truly compete with Java House is impossible. Therefore, we should not open a coffee shop. The inference is fallacious if a viable smaller business would still be worthwhile; it does not follow that every proposed shop should open.
Art compared to masters
My artwork will never be as good as Picasso’s or Chagall’s. Therefore, I will not waste my time with it.
Quitting smoking
I keep going back to cigarettes. I have tried so many times to quit, but I can’t. I’ll always struggle with this. So, I guess I’ll just keep smoking.
Perfect husband
If you cannot be a perfect husband, then why do you want to get married in the first place?
Learning French
I’ll never be fluent in French, so I dropped my French class.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a goal you have avoided because you felt you couldn't achieve it perfectly. How might pursuing it imperfectly still be valuable?
What important steps or learnings could come from attempting a task that you believe you might not complete?
In what areas of your life do you hold an all-or-nothing mindset? How can you shift focus from the outcome to the process?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Informal Logical Fallacies A Brief Guide