IDEALISM

I. INTRODUCTION
Idealism is the oldest philosophy. The word ideals is derived from the Greek
word “lden” which means “to see”, Plato is the father of idealism. Idealism
believe that man is a combination of spiritual and material aspects, of which the
spiritual aspect is more real and important. According to an idealist, spiritual
nature is the essence of life and physical world is a visible evidence for the
presence of a greater spirit invisible for us. Idealist gives more importance to
mind and self rather than matter and body. Idealism regard spirit and intellect
are of supreme value than physical matter. As per the idealism, individual
experience is valid than the material world and man lives in the world of ideas
rather than facts. Idealist also believes that the purpose of life is to know the
ultimate truth and mind is not dependent on physical reality. As a spiritual
being man is the most beautiful and superior creation by god. The development
of personality has been given priority in idealistic philosophy and believe that
ultimate aim of life is the exaltation of the personality. The goal of learning and
living is to transform the natural man into an ideal man by attaining physical,
intellectual, emotional, moral and life and advice effective utilization of moral
and cultural values along with the spiritual value for controlling the physical
environment.
II.MEANING
The word ‘Idealism· has been derived from ‘ideal’ or ideas. Ideals or higher
values much more significant in human life than anything else.
1 . Prof Herni in his book “Idealism as a philosophical doctrine pointed” out
that the term “Idealism” has been derived from two distinct sources. On the one
hand. It comes from the word “Idea”, on the other from “ldeal”, the words Idea.
Ideal and ideology all come into the vocabulary of philosophy from the greek
word.
III.PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAS OF IDEALISM
Generally idealism holds that ideas are the source of reality. Education for
spiritual growth is the purpose of idealism. Idealists see the universe as being
mode up of mind and reason, the predominant forces of life. The idea lists see
the world as an expression of the mind of god. Human beings have a “mind” or
“self” or “spirit”, individual minds are parts of the universal mind.
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IV. OBJECTIVES OF IDEALISM
1. Idealism believes in the universal mind: Besides the physical or material
universe there is also a spiritual universal which is permeated by the
universal mind or god. He is the creator and others are the created. Human
mind is a part of the universal mind and is dependent of him. God or
universal mind is the source of all human values and the goal of all human
activities is the realization of this universal mind in one’s own self.
2. Idealism regards man as a spiritual being: idealism believes that man is a
more animal he is essentially a spiritual being whose chief aim is to develop
his spiritual nature. In underlying principles of the idealistic philosophy is
“mind or spirit is the essential world stuff and that mind is no merely brain
and its activity but its in itself a real thing.
3. The world of ideas and values is more important that the world of matter.
4. Real knowledge is perceive in mind: The knowledge which is gained
through the activity and creativity of mind is more important than the
knowledge which is gained through the activity and creativity of mind is
more important than the knowledge, acquired through senses.
V.CHARACTERISTICS OF IDEALISM
1 . Mind comes first: Mind is the basis of imagination of creation has there
been no mind. There could have been scheme of the world or creation. So the
world or the physical world came after mind
2. Mind is nor life less, it consist of consciousness. There exists life in an image
of brain or body.
3. Mind has its independent existence. It is self established and it is not an
image of brain or body.
4. The action of mind is nature, because nature has no independent existence of
its own
5. Since the world is only a manifestation of mind so there is a harmony
between nature and man.
6. Only physical science cannot reveal all the secretes of the world. Because
mater or energy cannot explain the universe fully. The world has been created
with some purpose.

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7. Only mind gives some meaning to this world otherwise it will become
useless
8. There is some aim behind the creation so the life of man cannot be without
purpose and nor can it be mechanical a state is simply an imagination of mind it
cannot have any physical existence. State should not be considered as a human
community but as wisdom.
VI.TYPES OF IDEALISM
The exact nature of the ultimate spiritual reality has been explained by various
forms of idealism.
i. Subjective idealism: The famous philosopher berkely is an advocate of
subjective idealism. He denies the existence of the external world.
According to Berkeley, entire existence is of spirits and their experiences.
ii. Absolute idealism: According to fichte the whole existence is of the self.
He believes in absolute existence of the self.
iii. Phenomenalstic idealism: According to Kant is an advocate of
phenormentalstic idealism. He admits the existence of things in
themselves orpneumena. But he regards them as unknowable and
unknown.
iv. Objective idealism: According to hegel is an exponent of objective
idealism. He believes that “there is no god without world and there is no
world without god.” The world is real and it is an outward expression of
the absolute mind.

VII.PRINCIPLES OF IDEALISM
1.Presence of universal mind: Idealist believes that there is a universal mind
and symbolize this universal mind as god. All knowledge and human life
originated from this universal mind or god. Being a beautiful creation by God,
ultimate aim of human life is the realization of God or universal mind. Even
now this principle holds true as most of us thank God for giving a chance to live
in this world and seek God’s blessings for a smooth and successful living.
2.Regards man as a spiritual being: According to idealism, man is a
combination of spiritual and material aspects of which spiritual or mental
aspects is more real and important. This spiritual nature of man 1s the essence

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 of his existence and makes him distinct from other creations by god. Idealists
believe that mind or spirit is not merely brain and its activity but it is a real
thing with separate entity. This statement is now inviting criticisms as more and
more evidences are emerging from recent research works to support the
relationship between brain and the concept of mind.
3.The world of ideas and values are superior than the materialistic world:
Idealism believe in the worth of ideas or higher values. Higher values, which
makes the human life more meaningful are not created by man. They have a
prior existence as a gift from God to the mankind. The foremost aim of man
should be the realization of these higher values. According to Plato, these
higher values are truth, goodness, glory and beauty. Idealist also believes that
attainment of these higher values will be possible only through the realization
of God. This principle is really an antidote to varied problems prevailing in our
highly materialistic and consumer-driven modern society. Addition of higher
values to the day to day life will enliven our lives by avoiding problems.
4.The real knowledge is perceived in mind: According to idealists,
knowledge attained through activity and creativity of mind is valid than the
knowledge acquired through senses. This principle is against simple mugging
up of bookish knowledge and recognizes the importance of critical thinking and
activity in gaining knowledge or skill. Modern educationists consider critical
thinking as an integral part of problem solving and problem solving 1s the most
widely accepted method of learning, especially in nursing. The drawback of this
principle is that it misjudged the role of senses in acquiring knowledge.
VIII.IDEALISM AND EDUCATION
1.Self realization: Self-realization or development of self-image is facilitated by
attaining full knowledge about the self. Human being is a wonderful creation by
God and human life is the greatest or grandest work of God. JS Ross says that the
education in idealism refers to the development of highest potentialities of the self.
Education should help the child to develop the self-image or self-realization. This
aim is widely admired due to its relevance in the present day competitive world. In
one or other way all human beings are blessed with enormous powers and
potentialities. It is the duty of the education to assist the child to identify and
nurture these innate hidden potentials to the maximum level. Self-realization help
us to find a place to settle and flourish in this world. In short, self realization is a
prerequisite for a dedicated and successful living.

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2.Exaltation of personality through self realization: Education is for the
exaltation of personality. In the words of idealist, education is for the exaltation of
human personality and the exaltation of personality is based upon the concept of
realization of the highest potentialities of the self in a social and cultural
environment”. Education aims to build a healthy personality which is very
adjusting with our immediate surroundings.
3.Universal education: According to idealism, human race is one and every
individual in the society need to be educated irrespective of the caste, creed, color
and social status. Even in those days itself idealism recognized the importance of
education in the socioeconomic development of nations. Low literacy rate in
developing countries and nearly cent-percent literacy rate m developed countries
justifies this aim of education. Major contribution of this aim to the education
system is that it motivated many nations to accept the right for education as a birth
right or a fundamental right.
4.Development of inventive and creative powers: Idealism encourage man to
change or modify the environment according to his needs and mould nature to suit
his purpose through his inventive and creative skills. According to idealism,
education must nurture the inventive and creative powers of man. Even though this
aim sounds good, it is inherent with some defeciencies. Creative and constructive
practice of this aim helped the mankind to survive by overcoming many challenges
fuelled all major inventions and achievements. Now, forgetting the judicious use of
this aim, greedy modern man is using this aim in a destructive manner even by
endangering the existence of the nature. If practiced properly, this aim is really a
blessing in the context of new challenges and misuse of it can lead to major
disasters.
5.Conservation, promotion and transmission of cultural heritages: Culture 1s
very essential for the development of human potentials and making culture prevail
is the duty of education. Education helps the child to become aware about the
culture and feel proud of it. Education also equip the child to contribute something
to the cultural enrichment and its transmission to the future generations. Based on
this aim, nations incorporate essence of their cultural heritage in the curriculum.
6.Bringing out or the enrichment of the cultural environment: Let us see much
about this aim from the words of an idealist, “idealism believe that man is
responsible for the environment, especially, for his immediate environment. The
child can grow only, if the environment is suitable for his growth. Hence,

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preservation and enrichment of the cultural values in the environment should be
the aim of education.
7.Development of moral sense: The development of moral sense will help the
child to lead a healthy life and to differentiate between right and wrong, good and
evil. Moral sense will also help the child to admire truth, goodness and beauty.
Considering this aim of education, many schools have included moral science in
the curriculum.
8.Cultivation of spiritual values: Idealism believe that man is essentially a
spiritual being and gives prime importance for cultivating spiritual values through
education, In idealism, eternal and unchanging spiritual values are considered as
fundamental values of life. Education should help the child to lead a spiritual life
so that he will be able to respect the spiritual worth and dignity of other people.
IX.IDEALISM AND CURRICULUM
Overall development of child is the aim of idealistic curriculum. To achieve this
overall development subjects which assist the child to develop morally,
aesthetically, intellectually and physically are included in the curriculum. Subjects
like poetry, fine arts and religion promote moral and aesthetic development
whereas subjects like language, science, mathematics and geography foster
intellectual development. Invariably, physical education leads to physical
development.
X.IDEALISM AND TEACHER
Idealism reserves a high place for the teacher and recognize teacher as a
philosopher, friend and guide. According to idealism, the best teacher is one who
always inspires the students and serves as a role :model to them. Idealistic concept
regarding the inspiring teacher is genuine, as an inspiring teacher is considered as
the best teacher by the modern students. Just like oxygen in the inspired air,
inspiring thoughts and words are really inevitable to survive in this competitive
word. An idealistic teacher has to guide the student for achieving the all-round
development.
XI.IDEALISM AND METHODS OF TEACHING
According to idealists, classroom is a spiritual setting where human minds interact
and unite and students develop spiritually. Pestalozzi and Froebel are the two well
known idealist educationists contributed to the teaching methodology. Pestalozzi

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recommends self-education or self-activities of children. Froebel developed the
popular method of teaching namely ‘Kindergarten’. Kindergarten method regard
school as a garden, the teacher as gardner and students as tender plants intended to
grow to beauty and perfection. Questioning, discussion and lecture method for
teaching language, projects and imitation are some of the methods suggested by
idealism. Idealism believe that by employing these teaching methods, students can
receive knowledge and develop learning abilities with the help of the teacher.
XII.IDEALISM AND DISCIPLINE
According to idealism, self-realization is the prime aim of education and
recommend strict discipline the attainment of self-realization. Thus, idealism is
against free discipline. Teacher has to impose strict discipline. Idealist believes that
a disciplined mind only can attain the highest values of life namely truth, goodness
and beauty.
XIII.LIMITATIONS OF IDEALISM
Through idealism has made a lot of contribution in the fall of education even then
it has certain short comings which have a put a question mark on its contributions
which are as follows.
1. Aims of education: The aims of idealist education are abstract, pure
imagination and impracticable which are very difficult to be realized in
the actual universe
2. Curriculum: The curriculum of idealism ignore the material world. It is
probable and narrow instead of being child centered it is teacher centered
and through centered. It ignores the importance of scientific and
technological subjects. This curriculum cannot meet the demands of 21 st
century of society.
3. Methods of teaching: The contribution made by idealism in the area of
methodology is almost negligible these methods are teacher centered no
educational freedom has been provided to the child in it in these methods
only the teacher is active while the students are passive.
4. Excessive importance given to the teacher: Idealism provides
excessive importance to the teacher than it is needed and ignores the
child while in the modem age equal importance to both the teachers and
students is needed to be given.

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5. Neglects physical life: ideal ism gives emphasis to spiritual life and
ignores material life. Imaginary philosophical thinking does not work in
the modern age.
6. Strict discipline: Idealism supports strict discipline which is not
justifiable in the modern age but idealism supports strict discipline in an
indirect form.

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XIV. SUMMARY

Idealism believe that man is a combination of spiritual and material aspects, of

which the spiritual aspect is more real and important. Idealism regard spirit and
intellect are of supreme value than physical matter. As per the idealism, individual
experience is valid than the material world and man lives in the world of ideas
rather than facts. Idealist also believes that the purpose of life is to know the
ultimate truth and mind is not dependent on physical reality. Idealist believes that
there is a universal mind and symbolize this universal mind as god. All knowledge
and human life originated from this universal mind or god. According to idealism,
human race is one and every individual in the society need to be educated
irrespective of the caste, creed, color and social status. Even in those days itself
idealism recognized the importance of education in the socioeconomic
development of nations. Idealism reserves a high place for the teacher and
recognize teacher as a philosopher, friend and guide.

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XV. CONCLUSION
Idealism encourage man to change or modify the environment according to his
needs and mould nature to suit his purpose through his inventive and creative
skills. According to idealism, education must nurture the inventive and creative
powers of man. The development of moral sense will help the child to lead a
healthy life and to differentiate between right and wrong, good and evil. Moral
sense will also help the child to admire truth, goodness and beauty. Considering
this aim of education, many schools have included moral science in the curriculum.
Self-realization or development of self-image is facilitated by attaining full
knowledge about the self. Human being is a wonderful creation by God and human
life is the greatest or grandest work of God.

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XVI.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1) Sankaranarayanan.B, Sindhu.B. (2012). Learning and Teaching Nursing.
4th Edition. New Delhi: Jaypee Publications, 22-24
2) Sodhi. (2017). Comprehensive Text book of Nursing Education. 1 st
Edition. New Delhi: The health science publisher
3) Sudha R. (2013). Nursing Education:principles and concepts. 1 st Edition.
Haryana: Jaypee publications, 9-10
4) S. Pchaube achaub” foundation of education vikas publishing house pvt ltd
delhi page no 92- 100
5) H.S. Xadav “Education in the emerging Indian society Published by
Tandan Publications. Page No, 83-95.
6) BN Dash, “A new approach to teacher and education in the emerging india
society, neelkarnal publications pvt.ltd page no: 227-250.
7) BT Basacanthappa, “Nursing cdecation” published by jaypee brothers page
No.24-28
8) Dohba B.Ed Guid” Revised enlarged edition Page No 25-29

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