Blog 6: Kant

In class, someone brought up Kant's belief that humans cannot attain "perfection." This stands in contrast to many other beliefs (including some we've read about in class) whose doctrines insist that perfection must be every human's ultimate goal in life. However, I don't think humans should be able to attain perfection because I think that would negate our essential humanness. We would no longer be human, but rather some higher sort of existence such as a sage or a deity or what have you. We would cease to be "mixed creatures, mid-way between animals and angels" (155), and convert completely to the "angel" side. If stripped of our human nature, such as our selfishness, competetiveness, inner turmoil between right and wrong, and a propensity toward doing things we know we shouldn't do, what human qualities would be left within us? What would keep the line between human and devine being? Breathing? When people make mistakes or bad choices, they often exclaim that they cannot be held completely accountable for their missteps because they're "only human." This small and seemingly insignificant phrase in itself reveals the true imperfection of human nature.

Q: Do you think you've found a stable balance "between living for the moment and planning for the future" (155)? Why or why not? If so, how?