What is Excellence?

The semantics of the word “excellence” are rooted in the idea of excelling or possessing good qualities in the highest of degrees, at least according to most of the definitions I’ve read. Something is called excellent only if it has been deemed good or is possessive of outstanding quality or superior merit. But, what of this idea of qualitative versus quantitative excellence, which is best?

To discern the difference, one must first define both terms. We begin with the term “quality.” What do we mean when we say something is of high quality? Quality is a functional unity of an object’s essential properties, its internal and external definiteness, its relative stability, its distinctive form and resemblance to other objects like itself as an example of the higher end of those objects like itself. The quality of an object is revealed in the object’s interactions with other like objects and in comparisons with the other like objects in ways that recognize the object that is in comparison with the other like objects as one of the very best of all of the objects being compared.

As for quantity, every group of homogeneous objects is a set. Quantity expresses the external, formal relation of objects, their parts, their properties, their connections and all other dimensions as part of that specific set. They are a member of that set by possession of all traits required of the set. Quantity is expressed by number, volume or any other form of measurement in ways that increase or decrease in a mathematical way membership of a certain set. It does not recognize any range in the set that is high or low; it only recognizes membership in the specific chosen set.

When we talk about excellence in quantitative terms we are talking about membership of a certain set of items and manipulation of the set by either addition or subtraction. When we talk of qualitative excellence we talk of excellence that is rooted in the essence of traits that are found in the higher end of the homogeneous set. Qualitative excellence rests in the top tier of the chosen set while quantity just recognizes membership in the chosen set.

Therefore, it makes sense for those of us in education to seek excellence that is qualitative and not merely quantitative. Unfortunately, we live in a time when qualitative and quantitative are confused terms and thought to be synonymous when in reality, they are more likely antonyms than anything. By definition, excellence has more traits in common with those things of quality than those things of quantity. Quantity can be deemed excellent but only in relationship with quality, and when it is one of those traits that marks something as high quality, but quality is always deemed excellent or at the very least good even without quantity. You would never deem something as having quality unless it was first deemed good or excellent. What is excellence? It is that which is, first, recognized for its high quality and almost never considered only for its quantity. Blessings!