This might make sense in a broader context, if you place the ideal as the object.

The fact is that civilization routinely conflates the ideal with the absolute.

Necessarily an absolute would be some foundational, universal base state, such as the zero between 1 and -1. While an ideal would be the Perfect One. The Object, as you describe it.

For example, a spiritual absolute would logically be the essence of sentience, from which life rises, not an ideal of wisdom and judgement, from which it fell.

Yet much of Western history has revolved around defending this father figure lawgiver as the source of all of reality.

Now that the monotheistic premise has lost much of its impact, the underlaying impulse to assign absolute status to various preferred ideals remains strong. Call it the long shadow of God.

Which is a larger conversation, including the examples you have put forth.