The NEC makes clear it is neither design manual or instruction book; prior knowledge of the trade is required.
Learning a trade is like learning a language; any single element, when looked at alone, can seem arbitrary or foolish. Yet, you're not in a position to speak the language until you know all of it- no matter how smart you are in another field.
I'm reminded of music teachers who won't let you quit until you're good enough to know what you're doing. Only then can you make an informed choice.
We have our ways, which may differ from others' .... but it does not follow that one is 'right' while the other is 'wrong.' Such a narrow view shows the limitations of an engineering education.
I weary of those who know other fields assuming that their knowledge of one field makes them automatic experts in another .... or that their field means they 'outrank' the other guy.
Some folks need to stick to polishing their slide rules, and stay away from electric work- a field they are clearly not competent to discuss.
And, yes, I agree that continually finding different ways to debate the meaning of 'is' makes one a troll. Trolls belong under bridges - not in this forum.
To reply to the OP's claimed concern .... receptacles only have a plug pattern that is defined by NEMA designation as "125v." That is not - repeat NOT- a voltage rating. Nor does such a marking have any bearing on the voltages of other items nearby. Rating tests use voltages way beyond 250v, and the system is intended for such use; witness the 300v difference of potential required before we have to instal partitions or barriers.
In short, the OP's concern is based on a false assumption.