The title, itself is a paradox in that 'the Ideal Husband' Sir Robert Chiltern is not. There are many great questions that Wilde offers, using witty sayings and contrived situations, that ask the question about the ability to judge others. He seems to be asking if it might be quite alright to judge others because in doing so one can determine how one might conduct their own lives. Of course, this is done tongue in cheek and often what he points out is just the opposite of what he means.
