✨ Can success be measured?

Cihan Sevgi
3 min readFeb 24, 2024

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Knowledge, Values, and Observability

In today’s rapidly changing world, the concept of success has become a subject of frequent debate. Success can carry different meanings for each individual and is often associated with personal goals. However, a deep philosophical discussion underlies the measurability of this concept. Understanding what success is and how it can be measured requires a profound understanding of human nature and the fundamental dynamics of society.

The Concept of Success:

Success is typically defined as achieving a specific goal or reaching a desired outcome. However, this definition is not sufficiently profound. Success is shaped by an individual’s values, beliefs, and life purpose. For example, while material success may be important to one person, another may value spiritual fulfillment more. Thus, the subjective nature of success makes it different for everyone.

Thoughtful Statue

The Problem of Measurability:

The measurability of success presents a philosophical challenge. Success is an abstract and subjective concept. It is unclear which criteria should be used to determine whether someone is successful. Factors such as income, power, happiness, and health can all be considered measures of success. However, none of these factors can serve as a sole measure of success because everyone has different values and goals.

Observability of Success:

To take a step further in the measurability of success, it can be argued that success is observable. Observability implies that progress towards specific goals can be tracked and measured. For example, measurable data such as a student’s grades, an athlete’s performance statistics, or a business’s profitability indicate a certain level of success.

However, observability still cannot provide a complete picture of success as it overlooks some important aspects. For instance, while a student’s grades may reflect academic success, they do not consider other crucial elements such as the student’s personal development or character.

Relationship with Values:

Success is closely related to values. Real success for an individual means living in accordance with their values. Therefore, measuring success involves understanding an individual’s values and setting goals that align with those values.

Sustainability of Success:

Success is not merely an instant achievement but also a sustainable process. While reaching a goal may be a temporary triumph, true success lies in sustaining and expanding upon that victory in other areas. The importance of being successful lies in the ability to be successful in a sustainable manner.

Conclusion:

Success is a complex concept inherent to human nature, and the philosophical discussions about its measurability are equally complex. However, while success may not be entirely measurable, it can be observable. This observability indicates progress towards specific goals. Nevertheless, the importance of values should be emphasized on the path to success, and sustainability should be ensured. Success is not an outcome but a process that should be evaluated based on an individual’s internal values.

Books :

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
Martin Seligman, Authentic Happiness
Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue

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Cihan Sevgi
Cihan Sevgi

Written by Cihan Sevgi

Always learner the entrepreneur. Co-Founder @ByVinci Dynamics Solutions - Every business challenge is meticulously resolved.

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