Tocqueville uses this chapter to explain how humans specifically are naturally inclined to improve on themselves to achieve perfectibility. However, he uses equality as a contemporary example of something that has shifted the ideals of perfectibility, as this is a trait that he says has been around as long as mankind. I agree with him on this based on the foundations of evolution, which includes the idea of “survival of the fittest”. All species tend to improve over time, but mankind is unique in being able to make those changes through not only physical fitness, but also through actions and behavior. Raising the issue of equality as a factor that impacts ones striving for perfectibility is important since it changes how people strive to be better. For example, before women received equal rights to men, their standards were very different in terms of solely being relied on for “household tasks”, so once women were given more rights their lives changed by opening up many more opportunities in which they could aim to become better.
Categories