Idealism Theory
By: Jennifer M. May
Quote About Idealism
• “Idealism owes much to the suns of other
philosophers but believes it has some
ultimately fundamental light of its own.”
Defining Idealism
• “Idea” in Greek
– Means:
• That which is by nature clear and intelligible that
which has form.
• Taken as a guide for action, an idea becomes an
ideal.
Defining Idealism Continued
• No single meaning of Idealism
– A family of definitions
• Give priority to the mind.
• Mind, Soul, Spirit and Life
• Good, True, Beautiful
Definitions
• Idealism is a philosophical approach that
has as its central point that ideas are the
only true reality, the only thing worth
knowing.
• The focus is on the conscious reasoning in
the mind.
• It is the search for truth, beauty and justice.
Idealists Believe
• The human spirit is the most important
element in life.
• The universe is essentially nonmaterial in its
ultimate nature.
• Please note:
– Idealism should not be confused with the idea of
high aspirations.
The beginning of Idealism
• The oldest system of philosophy known to
man.
• Its origins go back to ancient India in the
East.
• Its origins also go back to Plato in the West.
• Plato is the father of Idealism
– The Republic
Plato
• Believed that there are two worlds:
– Spiritual World
• Eternal, permanent, universal
– World of Appearance
• Sight, touch, smell, taste and sound
– Combination of the body and mind
Idealism
• Idealists believe that all of reality is
reducible to the spirit.
• Matter is not real.
• Matter is a notion and an abstraction of the
mind.
• Only the mind is real.
• Purpose is to be an intelligent and
purposeful being.
Different Kinds of Idealism
• Some Idealists believe that all knowledge is
recall.
• Objective Idealists
• Plato believes that ideas are essences.
• Subjective Idealists
• George Berkeley believes that man is able to
reason without perceptions from the outside.
• Existence depends on the mind alone.
Different Kinds of Idealism
Continued
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Theistic Idealists
Believe that eternal values exist in God.
Pantheistic Idealists
Identify with God and Nature.
Rely on the order of nature for values.
Plato’s Take On Education
• Plato’s perfect society:
• “Education to body and soul all the beauty and
perfection of which they are capable.”
• To understand truth one MUST pursue
knowledge.
• The soul is fully formed prior to birth and is
perfect.
• Through birth the perfection is lost, and it is
dependant on education to make perfection
again.
Plato’s Quotes
• “To see with the eyes of the mind.”
• “To know through one’s power for reason.”
• Plato felt that man can bring harmony and
proportion into his soul, making it musical
and healthful, fit for this life and for
immortally.
Idealism and Education
• “It is easy to starve a mind by giving it too little
to work with or the wrong things.”
• Literature and Art
• No single method will work
• Reality is made up of minds, spirits and their
products.
• 3 beings:
– Spiritual
– Natural
– Personal
Idealist’s Purpose of Education
• The purpose of education is to contribute to
the development of the spiritual nature of
man.
• The purpose of education is to help and
better one’s family, community, state, earth,
and universe.
Idealist Education
• The aim of education is to discover and develop
each individual's abilities and full moral
excellence in order to better serve society.
• The curriculum emphasis is in subject matters
of the mind:
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Literature
History
Philosophy
Religion
Art
The Teacher’s Role
• Idealists have high expectations for the
teachers.
• Teacher is the most important element in
the school.
• Intellectual and morally correct at all times
• Personal conduct and actions
• Provide opportunities for the students’
minds to discover, analyze, unify, and
synthesize
Methods of Teaching Idealism
• Provide the learners with opportunities to
think.
• Apply criteria of moral evaluation in
lessons.
• Encourage the acquisition of facts.
Idealist Teachers Should:
• Encourage the students to enlarge their
horizons
• Stimulate reflective thinking
• Encourage personal moral choices
• Provide skills in logical thinking
• Provide opportunities to apply knowledge to
moral and social problems
• Stimulate interest into subject
• Encourage them to accept the values of human
civilization
Idealist Teaching Methods
• Teaching methods focus on handling ideas
through lecture, discussion, and Socratic
dialogue.
• A student’s character is developed through
their heroes and examples.
Idealism in America
• Has been represented in America by the following:
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Emerson
The Alcotts
Harris
Horne
Hocking
Demiashkevich
Thompson
Butler
Wegner
Ulich
Idealism Seen In Schools
• Little Red School House
– Morals
– Religion
– Expectations for Teachers
• Today
– Morals
– Community
– Expectations for Teachers
Content Standards
• Ohio Academic Content Standards
• Grade 8
• Reading Process: Concepts of Print,
Comprehension Strategies and SelfMonitoring Strategies
2. Answer literal, inferential, evaluative and
synthesizing questions to demonstrate
comprehension of grade-appropriate print
texts and electronic and visual media.
Content Standards Continued
• Ohio Academic Content Standards
• Grade 8
• Writing Applications
2. Write responses to literature that organize
an insightful interpretation around several
clear ideas, premises or images and support
judgments with specific references to the
original text, to other texts, authors and to
prior knowledge.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you seen Idealism used in schools
today? If so, what school district?
2. Do you think that your views of teaching
match the Idealism Theory?
References
Burns, H.W., & Brauner, C.J. (Ed.). (1962).
Philosophy of Education. New York: The
Ronald Press Company.
Cohen, L.M. (1999). Philosophical Perspectives in
Education. Retrieved from
http:/oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP2.html
Idealism Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.parvezvideo.com/idealism_theory.asp