Imperfect, Yet Searching for Truth

Accepting our limits does not mean that we stop searching for what is true.

It is difficult to find anything in this world that is completely perfect, something without any flaws.

As I wrote in an earlier reflection, I do not believe that we, as human beings, can possess truth in an absolute and complete way, without any possibility of error.

We always see only part of reality.

We look at it through our experiences, what we have learned, our wounds and the position from which we observe the world.

But this does not mean that we should stop searching for truth.

Nor does it mean that we should give up trying to improve simply because perfection seems impossible to reach.

Perhaps the opposite is true.

The fact that we continue speaking about truth already shows how deeply we need it.

If we had no desire to understand what is true, why would falsehood, error or injustice matter to us?

When we recognise that something is false, we are also suggesting that there may be an answer that is more honest and closer to reality.

When we recognise an error, we understand that something could be done better.

A perfect circle

This may sound a little abstract.

So let us think about a circle.

In mathematics, we can imagine a perfect circle: every point on it is exactly the same distance from its centre.

We also know π, the number that describes the relationship between a circle’s circumference and its diameter. Its decimal digits continue without end.

In the physical world, however, we cannot reproduce a circle with absolute perfection.

Even when we use a very precise instrument, small irregularities will remain. The material, the thickness of the line, the movement of the hand and the instrument itself all have limits.

This does not make the idea of a perfect circle useless.

On the contrary, it is precisely because we have that idea that we can observe a real circle, recognise its imperfections and try to make it more accurate.

We may never reach perfection.

But we can continue moving closer to it.

Reducing error

Something similar happens in physics.

When we take a measurement, random errors may occur. They can be caused by small and unpredictable changes: a variation in temperature, a vibration or a change in the surrounding environment.

For this reason, a measurement is not always one hundred per cent precise.

We can, however, repeat it, compare the results, control the conditions more carefully and use more precise instruments.

We may never remove every possible margin of error.

But we can reduce it.

We can obtain a more reliable result without pretending that it is perfect.

For me, this contains an important lesson.

The fact that we cannot remove every error does not mean that we should stop trying.

But neither does it mean that we should treat every small imperfection as unacceptable.

We can improve what can be improved while accepting that something will always remain incomplete.

Acceptance is not surrender

The same is true of us.

We have flaws. We may be impatient, proud, insecure, selfish or inattentive to the needs of others.

Some of these things can change.

We can learn to listen, recognise our mistakes, apologise and behave more responsibly.

But we will probably never become completely free from every flaw.

Accepting this reality does not mean surrendering.

Self-acceptance does not mean believing that everything we do is right.

It means recognising our value even while we are trying to change.

We can accept the person we are today without believing that we must remain the same forever.

We can try to improve without living as though we were always something broken that needed to be repaired.

We need both: the desire to grow and the humility to recognise our limits.

Rules are imperfect too

Human theories, laws and decisions also have limits.

A law may be created with the intention of protecting people while remaining unable to anticipate every possible situation.

A decision may appear just and still produce consequences that we did not expect.

This does not mean that all laws are equal or that every decision should be accepted.

Saying that nothing is perfect does not mean saying that everything is acceptable.

Some choices are more just than others. Some protect human dignity more carefully. Others cause suffering and need to be changed.

Consider, for example, a situation in which the interests of one person conflict with those of many others.

Should we always choose what benefits the majority?

Or should we always protect the individual?

I do not believe that there is one answer capable of resolving every situation automatically.

If we consider only the majority, we may forget the rights and dignity of one person.

If we consider only the individual, we may ignore the consequences that a decision will have for everyone else.

This is why every situation requires attention.

Considering each case individually does not mean that everything is relative.

It means recognising that justice requires responsibility, attention and discernment.

Continuing the search

Before making a decision or beginning something new, perhaps we should stop for a moment.

We might ask ourselves:

Why do I want to do this?

What consequences might it have?

Am I searching for what is true and just, or only for what is most convenient for me?

Am I willing to recognise an error and change?

Perhaps we will never possess the whole truth.

Perhaps our decisions will always remain imperfect in some way.

But this does not make the search meaningless.

We can accept that the world is not perfect without becoming indifferent to its flaws.

We can accept ourselves without giving up on growth.

We can recognise our limits and continue, patiently, to reduce our errors.

Becoming does not mean finally reaching perfection.

It means continuing to search, correct ourselves, learn and humbly accept who we are.