Editing Human potential (section)

==Meaning and scope==
The term [[potential]] generally refers to a currently unrealized ability. The term is used in a wide variety of fields, from [[physics]] to the [[social sciences]] to indicate things that are in a state where they are able to change in ways ranging from the simple release of energy by objects to the realization of abilities in people. The [[philosophy|philosopher]] [[Aristotle]] incorporated this concept into his theory of [[potentiality and actuality]],<ref>''dynamis&ndash;energeia'', translated into Latin as ''potentia&ndash;actualitas'' (earlier also ''possibilitas&ndash;efficacia''). Giorgio Agamben, ''Opus Dei: An Archaeology of Duty'' (2013), [https://books.google.com/books?id=yVYTAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA46  p. 46].</ref> a pair of closely connected principles which he used to analyze [[Motion (physics)|motion]], [[Four causes|causality]], [[Aristotelian ethics|ethics]], and [[physiology]] in his ''[[Aristotelian physics|Physics]]'', ''[[Metaphysics (Aristotle)|Metaphysics]]'', ''[[Nicomachean Ethics]]'' and ''[[De Anima]]'', which is about the human [[Psyche (psychology)|psyche]].<ref name=Sachs2005>{{Citation|last=Sachs|first=Joe|title=Aristotle: Motion and its Place in Nature|year=2005|url=http://www.iep.utm.edu/aris-mot/|journal=Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy}}{{Harvtxt|Sachs|2005}}</ref> That which is potential can theoretically be made actual by taking the right action; for example, a boulder on the edge of a cliff has potential to fall that could be actualized by pushing it over the edge, and a person whose natural aptitudes give them the potential to be a great pianist can actualize that potential by diligently practicing playing the piano.

The concept of developing potential is sometimes described in terms of becoming the best version of oneself.<ref>Vicente Njoku, ''Success Plan and Positioning Strategy 7.0: Closing The Gap Between Your Primary Goal and A Successful Outcome'' (2015), p. 139.</ref> Persons who are believed to have a degree of potential that they do not pursue are often described as having [[Failure|failed]] to "live up to their potential".<ref>Ann Vernon, ''What Works when with Children and Adolescents: A Handbook of Individual Counseling Techniques'' (2002), p. 196.</ref>

Early conceptions of human potential suggested that the full potential of any person was innate in that person from before their birth, possibly from the moment of their conception.<ref>Ken Richardson, ''The Origins of Human Potential: Evolution, Development and Psychology'' (1998), p. 2.</ref> More recent definitions have encompassed both internal and societal influences.<ref>Jana Gašparíková, "Human Potential and Social Equilibrium", in Józef Tischner, Józef Życiński, and George F. McLean, eds., [https://books.google.com/books?id=gBNQMVpTG8EC ''The Philosophy of Person: Solidarity and Cultural Creativity''] (1994), p. 195.</ref>