How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question

How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question is a 2022 self-help book by TV writer Michael Schur. Schur was inspired to explore theories of moral philosophy as he created The Good Place, a sitcom set in the afterlife. How to Be Perfect synthesizes and summarizes what Schur learned about philosophy as a writer on the show. With a humorous and self-deprecating tone, Schur also highlights turning points in his own journey of ethical self-discovery.

This guide is based on the 2022 Simon & Schuster edition.

Summary

In his Introduction, Schur explains that he became interested in moral philosophy while working on the television show The Good Place. His purpose in writing How to Be Perfect is to share what he learned about what it means to be a good person. He also clarifies that he is writing as a layperson to a general audience.

In each of the first few chapters, Schur introduces a major school of thought within moral philosophy. Chapter 1 covers virtue ethics as pioneered by Aristotle. Under this approach, people can improve themselves by acquiring certain admirable qualities, such as honesty or bravery. Crucially, these values are not to be practiced in the extreme, but rather in moderation. For instance, Schur considers himself a rules-oriented person and admits that he needs to move toward a laidback approach until he reaches the sweet spot on the spectrum, a concept known as the golden mean.

The next major school of thought Schur covers is utilitarianism, which involves maximizing outcomes to make the greatest number of people as happy as possible. While this sounds like a worthwhile aim, Schur uses a thought experiment known as the trolley problem to expose some flaws in utilitarianism, including the fact that the theory makes no allowance for individual conscience or accountability.

Next, Schur turns to deontology, an approach influenced by Immanuel Kant. Kant argued that people should only act in ways that they would wish for everyone to act. Under this theory, acts like lying are categorically wrong since if everyone lied, chaos would result. Schur acknowledges the appeal of Kant’s approach while questioning its usefulness in day-to-day life, where we may not have time to fully ponder the ethical implications of each action.

In Chapter 4, Schur proceeds to highlight the work of a philosopher whose work resonates with him: T. M. Scanlon. Scanlon’s moral theory of contractualism suggests that, at a bare minimum, we should live by rules that no reasonable person could reject. Schur also discusses the southern African concept of ubuntu, which involves communal awareness, as an example of going beyond the bare minimum in fulfilling our duty to one another.

After laying the groundwork with these moral philosophies, Schur begins to tackle increasingly complex moral questions in Part 2, while introducing additional insights from philosophers along the way. In one chapter, Schur considers whether we are required to act heroically and concludes that there are limits to a person’s obligation to sacrifice their welfare for others. In another chapter, Schur considers whether motivation matters in judging the value of good actions; he concludes that, in many cases, a good outcome outweighs an ulterior motive.

As part of his discussion, Schur draws on his own life experiences. Schur recalls a time when he and his wife publicly shamed a man for asking for $836 to repair minor cosmetic damage to his car after a mild collision; they suggested that the money would be better spent as a donation to charity, especially considering the then-unfolding crisis caused by Hurricane Katrina. Schur even enlisted others to pledge money conditional on the car owner withdrawing his request. This experience provides the backdrop to a discussion of guilt, shame, and whataboutism.

Schur also addresses the question of when it is acceptable to break certain rules. Here, he stresses the importance of remaining self-aware when acting in ways that are less than ideal, protecting us from becoming accustomed to a lower standard of behavior.

In Part 3, Schur continues to build on earlier principles, testing their limits and adding nuance. Drawing on the work of Peter Singer, Schur considers the responsibility of the wealthy to give away their money to those who are less fortunate. He also deals with the moral complexity of living in an information age, where so many people and entities create art or products that have problematic associations. While he does not provide an easy rule, he offers a few tools to help readers navigate such situations.

In the novel’s final chapters, Schur widens his approach to add additional perspective. Summarizing the work of French existential philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, he encourages readers not to become over-reliant on any single philosophical system and instead take ownership for their choices. In the final chapter, Schur reminds readers that mistakes are inevitable and considers how to craft an effective apology when needed. In a Coda that takes the format of a letter addressed to his children, Schur reviews the main points of his book and reminds his children to keep trying despite falling short. By implication, he invites readers to do the same.