Idealism: Fundamental Principles of Idealism

IDEALISM
In education Comenius has been regarded as one of the earliest exponents but it doubtless
originated with Socrates and clearly evident in writing of Plato. Idealist is born out of Plato’s
theory of ideas.
Man has two facets- spiritual and material. When the emphasis is on the realization of spiritual
life, it is called idealism. An idealist does not have considerations for material values of life. He
believes that material or physical universe is not complete expression of reality. Idealist claims
that this reality is spiritual in nature rather than physical, mental rather than material.
To the idealist, man is a spiritual being who exercises free will and is responsible for his action.
Because man is free and spiritual, his essence eludes us if we study him simply as an object.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF IDEALISM:
1. Spirit and mind constitute reality: the physical world is of less importance than the
world of the mind, ideas and experiences. Reality exists in the mind of man and not in the
physical world. The physical and material world is not the complete expression of reality.
2. Man being spiritual is the supreme creation: idealists maintain the distinctiveness and
superiority of man’s nature which is apparent not only from his spiritual capacities denied
to animals, but also seen in his power and control over the environment. He also has the
power of controlling the spiritual and cultural environment and values.
3. God is all source of knowledge: Revealed knowledge is supposed to be the worlds of
God and is the only reliable source of knowledge.
4. Values are absolutely and unchanging: Truth, beauty and goodness are the spiritual
values. These spiritual values are undying and permanent. Realization of these values is
the realization of God. For achievement of these values all the capacities of the man are
to be harnessed to the full.
5. Man is not the creator of values: man cannot create values. This philosophy believes
that ideals are not made by man rather they already exist in the world. Man only
discovers through his efforts.
6. Idealists provide full support to the principle of unity in diversity.
CHIEF EXPONENTS OF IDEALISM:
Idealism as a school of philosophy is represented by Plato, Barkley, Fitch, Hegel, Kant, Froebel.
Socrates, Aurobindo Ghosh, Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi.
IDEALISM AND EDUCATION:
Idealism and aims of education: following are the aims as advocated by idealists.
• Self realization or exaltation of personality: it involves full knowledge of the self. It

means to fulfil one’s individual nature in all its aspects. The highest potentialities of self
must be realised in a social and cultural environment provided by the home and school.
• Development of intelligence and rationality: according to idealists there is a purpose in
all objects and natural phenomena. The universe is planned and organised. Education
should aim at helping the pupil to direct his efforts towards understanding these laws. Out
of these principles the idealists lay greater importance on the principle of unity in
diversity. Highly developed mind can understand these principles.
• Conservation, promotion and transmission of culture: the spiritual and cultural
inheritance of mankind must be preserved and imparted to students in the school.
Education should aim at providing the means of acquainting the student with great
achievements in literature, arts, mathematics and sciences. Man should not merely learn
culture but should be able to invent and transmit to the next generation.
• Education for all: idealists hold that every human being must receive a chance to get
education. They believe in universal education. However according to Plato education
should be imparted according to the needs of the individuals being educated. He
recommended that
a. Slow learners have to be educated and trained for the job market.
b. Average learners for the specialist’s job.
c. The very bright students may be provided higher education.
• Cultivation of moral values: it is related to two aspects
a. Duties to self: cleanliness, punctuality, regularity, self control. Desire to work
hard, sincerity and perseverance etc.
b. Duties to others: virtues of modesty, respect for the opinion of others,
cooperativeness, liberty and generosity.
• Idealism and curriculum: according to idealists education must make available to each
child vivid acquaintance with the created order of God, human history, cultural and
spiritual heritage. Plato advocated that
i. Languages, history, literature, geography. Maths, astronomy, science etc should
be taught for intellectual development.
ii. Arts and poetry fir aesthetic development.
iii. Athletics for physical development.
iv. Religion, philosophy, ethics for moral development.
• Idealism and methods of teaching: no single method has been advocated by the
idealists as important method.
- Froebel insisted upon play way method.
- Socrates used discussion method
- Plato advocated lecture method
- Aristotle emphasised inductive and deductive method. Inductive means concrete to
abstract, particular to general and deductive is the reverse of it i.e. from general to
particular.
• Idealism and the discipline: Froebel believes that control over the child is to be
exercised through knowledge of his interests and expression of love and sympathy.
- Idealists attach importance to impressionistic discipline which emphasises the
importance of teacher in guiding the students.
- With due freedom, the idealists believe in strict discipline. The students are required
to submit to the laws and regulations. It is through hard and rigorous life they will
learn higher values is the opinion of idealists.
• Idealism and the teacher: ideal personality is exclusively the product of teacher’s
efforts. In the words of Ross “the educator constitutes the special environmental factors
whose function is to lead the child nearer reality, to guide him towards his utmost
possible function.
- to the idealists the school is a garden, the educand a tender plant and the educator the
careful Gardner.
- task of the teacher is to provide congenial environment in the school.
- The tasks decided by the idealists to teacher are guide, friend and philosopher.
- The wise direction on the part of the teacher is essential. It includes guidance, control
and creating stimulating environment.
- Must be an ideal person to influence the personality of the students.
• Strengths of Idealism in Education:
▪ Supported by great philosophers
▪ Importance to human personality
▪ Importance to past culture
▪ Provided concept of mass education
▪ Advocated clear cut guidelines for all aspects of education- aims, curricula,
methods of teaching, discipline and role of the teacher.
▪ Importance to the role of teacher in personality development of the students.
▪ Emphasis on moral character of the students.
▪ Recognises school as a place for thinking and creating beautiful environment.
• Weaknesses of Idealism:
▪ Idealism may be criticised as being out of tune with the prevailing scientific world
view and recent trends in education.
▪ Concepts like spirit, soul, cosmos, and mind have little relevance in modern class
rooms.
▪ Pays more importance to teacher than the students.
▪ Idealistic education stresses imitation of model but younger generation prefers
invention and originality rather than imitation.
Note: This is the brief sketch of idealism philosophy. Go through the books also for more clarity of the
philosophy. Feel free to discuss anything in between 11: 30 am to 12 at night. God bless you all.
Dr Mohd Abid Siddiqui.

Idealism: Fundamental Principles of Idealism

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IDEALISM

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF IDEALISM:

IDEALISM AND EDUCATION:

• Self realization or exaltation of personality: it involves full knowledge of the self. It

Dr Mohd Abid Siddiqui.

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