Idealism

• According to Ozmon Craver

• Idealism is the oldest systematic philosophy
western culture which is a believe that ideas
are the only true reality.
• Idealism as a school of philosophy believes in
mind and idolizes it. This philosophy seeks to
explain and interpret man and universe in
terms of spirit or mind.
• It asserts that material world is not the
manifestation of reality. It, therefore, attaches
supreme importance to the study of man and
his mind. Besides, this school of philosophy
places emphasis on the ideas and ideals than
the full fact of matter which guides the actions
of men in the every aspect.
• In philosophy, idealism is the group of
metaphysical philosophies which assert that
reality, or reality as humans can know it, is
fundamentally mental, mentally constructed,
or otherwise immaterial. Epistemologically,
idealism manifests as a skepticism about the
possibility of knowing any mind-independent
thing.
 Exponents
• Plato 427-347BC
• Kant 1724-1804
• Hegel 1770-1831
• Frobel 1732-1852
• William 1835-1909
 According to Orstein Levine
• Idealism philosophy begin with PlATO
• A philosophical belief claiming that material
things are imaginary that material things do
not exist independently but only as
constructions in the mind.
 Metaphysics of Idealism
• The self is the prime reality of individual experience.
• The ultimate reality is self
• Ultimate reality may be oneself a community of
selves or universal selves within whom are many
individual selves.
• The individual self has all the freedom essential to
self determination. It does not mean that we have
the freedom to do what ever we please, without
limits.
 The Epistemology of idealism
• Idealism and critical realism are alike in their
treatment of perception expect that idealism
holds that the qualities we perceive in the
world are rooted in existence.
• Barkeley insisted that The character of the
world as we experience it depend so much
upon the mind, that thee is such no things
that exist without someone perceiving it.
 The Axiology of Idealism
• The human being desire and enjoy are
fundamentally rooted in existence. They are
real existents.
• The values of human life are what they are
largely because they are individual persons to
process and enjoy them
• one important way in which individual persons
can realize value is by precisely relating parts
and wholes.
 principles of idealism

• 1. Spirit and mind constitute reality, not body

and matter.
• 2. Spiritual man is the supreme creation of
God and he must strive for self-realization.
• 3. God is the source of all knowledge.
• 4. Values are absolute and unchanging and are
so called spiritual values: truth, goodness &
beauty.
• 5. What is ultimately real is not the object
itself but the idea behind it.
• 6. Man is not the architect of values.
• 7. Freedom of mind is the highest virtue: a
necessity of realizing spiritual reality.
 Educational Implications

• In idealism the aim of education is to discover

and develop each individual abilities and full
moral excellence in order to better serve
society. The curricular emphasis is subject
matter of mind, literature,history, philosophy
and religion.
 Aims of Education:

• The following aims are stressed by idealists which are

said to be the chief contributions of the idealistic
philosophy to the field of education.
development of Human Personality:
• Idealists consider the development of human
personality as the supreme idealistic objective of life.
Exalt the personality is the core philosophy of
idealism. According to Ross, “Human personality is
the supreme value and constitutes the noblest work
of God.”
 Development of Morality:

• Development of moral sense is another

important aim of education which, according
to idealistic philosophy, enables the child to
differentiate between just and unjust, good
and evil, right and wrong and beauty and
ugliness. Education helps the child by
nurturing his will power which can be ignited
by the correct appreciation of truth, goodness
and beauty.
  Universal Education:

• Idealism lays stress on self-realization which

can be possible by providing education to all
without any differences and discriminations. It
should be universal because all human beings
are equally the children of God. As such, the
aim is to provide opportunities to realize the
self.
Development of Inventive and Creative Powers:

• The important aim of education according to

this school of philosophy is to develop and
foster the inventive and creative powers of the
child so that he can mold the environment to
suit to his needs and purposes. He should
harness the forces of nature in such a way that
these should render him the best possible
service.
 Enrichment of Cultural Heritage:

• Since man is the creator of his own culture by

dint of his creative activity, he should try to
preserve, transmit and improve it according to
the best of his capacity. Thus, education helps
him/her to contribute the best to the
enrichment and refinement of his/her culture.
 Development of Complete Man:

• The aim of education, according to idealists,

should be the fullest development of child and
man which implies harmonious and all-round
development-physical, intellectual, social,
moral, spiritual and aesthetic aspects of
individuality.
 Simple Living and High Thinking:

• Simple living and high thinking should be the

aim of education according to idealists. A
person who lives a simple and docile life
thinks high which paves a way for his personal
development and refinement.
• Idealism has greatly contribute to the aims of
education
• Exaltation of human personality
• Universal education
• Enrichment of cultural environment
• Cultivation of moral values
 Methods of Teaching:

• Method is the weakest point in idealistic

philosophy of education. It does not advocate
any special method, but touches a host of
methods to fulfill the aims. Methods like
questioning, discussion and lecture are very
important. Platonic methods i.e. inductive and
deductive methods are advocated.
 Method of teaching
• Questioning
• Discussion
• Lecture method
• Imitation
 Teacher
• Teacher should be
• Role model
• Friend, philosopher and guide
• Perfecter of mind
• Co worker
• Maker of democracy
• Great leader
• Great judge