IDEALISM By: ANTHONY JAYVER G. TAN Overview 1.0 Background 2.0 Major ideas 2.1 Metaphysics 2.2 Epistemology 2.3 Axiology 3.0 Educational implications 3.1 Aims/goals of education 3.2 Curriculum 3.3 Methods of teaching 3.4 Role of the teacher 3.5 Discipline in the classroom 4.0 Critique BACKGROUND Plato is the father of idealism (developed idealist principle in ancient anthems). • In Germany George W.F Huge created a comprehension of philosophical worldview based on idealism. • Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau developed a transcendentalist variety of idealism . • Asian religion such as Hinduism and Buddhism rest on the spiritual outlook associated with idealist. • IDEALISM AND EDUCATION • According to Miller and Jensen (2004) idealism is the metaphysical view that mind (in some sense )is ultimate and that all things are thus reducible to mind and ideas. • Idealism can also be defined as the metaphysical and epistemological doctrine that ideas or thoughts make up fundamental reality. • Metaphysical is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of existence of beings and the world. • Epistemology is the study of the nature and scope of knowledge and justified beliefs. • Essentially epistemology has something to do with the creation and the dissemination of knowledge in particular areas of inquiry. • Epistemology relates to notions such as truth ,beliefs and justification THE MAIN TENENTS OF IDEALISM Views about reality • Only the mental or the spiritual is ultimately real • the world is an expression of a cosmic mind • ideas are real, material objects are less real than the ideas that refer to them. • the world of the mind and ideas is eternal, unchanging and orderly. • truths and values are absolute and universal. • a human being has a material body and an immortal soul. • the soul is durable and therefore is permanent. VIEWS ABOUT KNOWLEDGE • the human mind has latent ideas at birth. • Plato believed :knowledge is merely admonishing what is already in the mind. • true knowledge is gained through strict mental discipline mainly through Maths, Philosophy and Logic. • senses are pivotal as points of contact with the material world but they are not always reliable. • the mind is the most essential part of a human being. ETHICS AND MORALITY • Young people imitate the moral example displayed by the elders around them. • Teacher’s moral character and personality are equally important to the learner. • The teacher needs to have an ideal personality to give positive influence to children. IDEALISM AND AIMS OF EDUCATION • In idealist settings emphasis is on the development of the mind . • Education should aim for the truth. • This truth can not be found in matter because matter is impermanent ever changing. • Truth is to be sought in ideas which are lucid ,unchanging and permanent. • Education does not have to be interesting to the learner. • Education must have very high standards and allow the best ones to reach the top. • Education must be open to anyone but should be given according to one’s capability. • Education must develop understanding tolerance and hard working in pupils. • Many Idealists favour a great deal of “GREAT BOOKS” programme. EDUCATIONAL METHODS • Idealists favour recitation and recall of ideas in the learning process. • The lecture method is widely used to expose ideas. • Question and answer techniques are also frequently employed the aim is to probe the mind. • Encourages every learner to love reading. • Texts books are central to learning . DISCIPLINE • Idealists see no need for long lists of rules in a school :to them good conduct is understood ,felt • It is the unwritten law. “if you are prepared (as a teacher), you like teaching and you do a good job. • Each teacher has to handle his/her own discipline problems in the classroom . • Physical punishment is strongly discouraged . • The teacher must use positive examples and praise desirable behaviours. A CRITIQUE OF IDEALISM. many people feel that idealism is too conservative . Idealism views the world as a finished product waiting only to be discovered. Intellectual emphasis ignores other aspects . It is criticised on the notion of being elitist. Idealism overemphasis on text books, does not accommodates modern era of technology.
