I think that everything you said as an advantage of competition can be done just as well without, if the person in question is willing to put effort into it. With competition, it's much easier to see your shortcomings, albeit as a more shallow level than with self-realization (opinion ).
So, while I agree that competition can facilitate these things, we can both agree that competition isn't necessary. So, the next point of contention would be: how do the disadvantages of competition weigh with the advantages?
That's obviously a much more personal question, and one that probably isn't worth exploring right now. We're already way off topic on this one. -- but can we at least agree that I'm not totally insane?
No, I don't think so. This assumes that people are observant enough to recognize all of their shortcomings. When this assumption is revealed, I'd hope it seems rather ridiculous. Someone pointing at a shortcoming is only less profound if the person doesn't take it to heart. If they do, I think it can be
more profound, because there is external motivation to improve.
Competition is necessary for all types of improvements. I did not say it's
always unnecessary. If a person is unable to recognize an imperfection due to lack of education, refinement, expertise, etc., then self-realization is rarely possible. I think competition is morally justifiable, and in some cases, I think preventing competition is morally unjustifiable. If you prevent a person from improving something because you've prevented them from entering a competition, it's possible that their lives will suck more as a result of it. Competition is an arena for improvement.
It's not necessarily a personal question. If you're asking yourself the question "Would I rather avoid external criticism at the cost of possibly being unable to recognize my own shortcomings?", then I suppose you could make the argument that it's entirely subjective.
Of course I don't think you're insane. I entirely disagree with justifying the avoidance of competition so peoples' feelings don't get hurt, though. (Yes, that was an intentional straw man : P).
(Edit: moved this to general so we don't have to worry about being off-topic.
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