Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - An a priori justification for pursuing excellence?

Jinn · 10-26-2005, 04:03 PM

As the title suggests, IS there an a priori justification for pursuing excellence? Of secondary concern to me is what fosters "mediocrity" -- the idea that achieving your goals "most of the time" and "about average" are okay? I'm having difficulty finding a benefit in striving towards difficult goals when things can be achieved at an "acceptable" level all of the time.

I've attempted to abstract it, but it directly relates to my own life. I have the option to start things long before they'll come to fruition, such as studying weeks before a test. In doing so, I could guarantee myself a score in the 95% or better range.. I would likely learn more. I enjoy learning, but I don't see the benefit of that over studying the night before (cramming) and achieving an 80% of better?

For those of you with intrinsic motivation, what do you see as a realistic rationale for achieving excellence over settling for "okay" for the rest of your life? At the moment, I see no benefit of the former.

10-26-2005, 04:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	An a priori justification for pursuing excellence? As the title suggests, IS there an a priori justification for pursuing excellence? Of secondary concern to me is what fosters "mediocrity" -- the idea that achieving your goals "most of the time" and "about average" are okay? I'm having difficulty finding a benefit in striving towards difficult goals when things can be achieved at an "acceptable" level all of the time. I've attempted to abstract it, but it directly relates to my own life. I have the option to start things long before they'll come to fruition, such as studying weeks before a test. In doing so, I could guarantee myself a score in the 95% or better range.. I would likely learn more. I enjoy learning, but I don't see the benefit of that over studying the night before (cramming) and achieving an 80% of better? For those of you with intrinsic motivation, what do you see as a realistic rationale for achieving excellence over settling for "okay" for the rest of your life? At the moment, I see no benefit of the former. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel