IDEALISM

AND
REALISM
Presented by:
Maverick L. Mascariñas
Zegric S. Laguda
Caroline A. Ardientes
IDEALISM
 IDEALISM
- known as the ancient philosophy or the
oldest philosophy

- ideas are the only true reality, the only

thing worth knowing.
 IDEALISM
• Idealism is born out of Plato’s “Theory of Ideas
or Theory of Forms”
• Idealism recognizes ideas, feelings and ideals are more important
than material objects.

• and at the same time emphasizes that human development should

be according to moral, ethical and spiritual values so that
acquires knowledge of unity in diversity.
 DEFINITIONS:
• “Idealism holds that ultimate reality is
spiritualism” D.M. Dutta
• “Idealism asserts that reality consist of ideas, thoughts, minds,
or selves rather than material objects and forces” – H.B. Titus

• “Educational philosophy of idealism is an account of man

finding himself as an integral part of a universe of mind.” -
Horne
FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES OF
IDEALISM
1. Two forms of whole world

• Idealism believes in two forms of the world spiritual

world and material world. Idealists give more
importance to spiritual world in comparison to the
material world
2. Ideas are more important than object

• According to Idealists, knowledge of mind and soul can

be obtained through ideas only.
3. Importance of man over nature

• To Idealism man is more important than material nature.

4. Faith in spiritual value

• According to idealists, the prime aim of life is to achieve

spiritual value.
 
5. Importance of personality development

• Idealist give much importance to the self of the

individual.

• Hence they insist upon the fullest development of the

personality of the individual.
TYPES OF
IDEALISM
 1. SUBJECTIVE IDEALISM
• It gives more importance to the mind or spirit about their
perceptions or ideas.
• Type of idealism also called mentalism and
phenomenalism.

• The chief exponents are George Berkeley, John Locke,

etc.
 2. OBJECTIVE IDEALISM
• This type of idealism gave more importance to nature of
universe.
• They mean the universe is one.
• According to them, nature existed before the individual.

• Plato is the originator of the philosophy of objective

idealism.
• According to objective idealism “There is no God without world
and there is no world without God.”
 3. PERSONAL IDEALISM
• To give more importance to self

• It emphasizes the reality and worthy of the individual

people, moral values, and human freedom.

• Chief exponents are Rudolf Herman Lotze, Boden, etc.

 CHIEF
EXPONENTS
OF
IDEALISM
 WESTERN CULTURE

PLATO (427-347 BC) DESCARTES (1596-1650) FROEBEL (1772 – 1852)

FATHER OF PHILOSOPHY THE FATHER OF MODERN THE FATHER OF
PHILOSOPHY KINDERGARTEN
 INDIAN CULTURE

SWAMI DAYANAND SARASWATI AUROBINDO GHOSE

(1825 – 1883) (1872-1950)
advocated the doctrine of Karma developed a spiritual practice he
and Reincarnation called Integral Yoga
IDEALISM AND
AIM OF
EDUCATION
 SELF - REALIZATION
• First aim of education according to, is to develop the self
of the individual higher and higher until self-realization
achieved.
• Education helps the growing soul to draw out that is in
itself. – Aurobindo Ghosh
• The aim of education is to enable man to become true
himself – James S. Ross
TO ENSURE THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

• Idealist give greater importance to spiritual value in

comparison with material attainment.
• The second aim of education is to develop the child
mentally, morally, and above all spiritually.

• Thus, teacher should organize education as to develop

the child spiritually.
6 STAGES OF SPIRTUAL
DEVELOPMENT
CULTIVATE TRUTH, BEAUTY AND GOODNESS

• Truth, beauty and goodness should be encouraged more

and more. These three values determine the types of
human activities intellectual, aesthetic and moral.

• The more an individual realizes these ideals, the more

spiritually develop he will become.
CONSERVATION, PROMOTION, AND TRANSMISSION
OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

• Mental and intellectual capacities develop cultural,

social, and artistic values in human life in all its aspects.

• Thus, the fourth aim of education according to idealism,

is to acquaint the child with the cultural heritage so that,
he conserves, promotes, and transmits it to the rising
generation.
IDEALISM AND
CURRICULUM
IDEALISM AND CURRICULUM
• Since the aim education according to idealism is the emergence of
an ideal man, the curriculum should enable man to develop fully.

• Any subject which creates an ideal or spiritual self is most

welcome to an idealist.

• Education must provide each child with vivid acquaintance with

created order of God, human history as well as the cultural and
spiritual heritage.
 METHODS OF TEACHING
• Methods which encourage reasoning that involves intuitive and
reflective thinking get priority.

• In addition to lecture method , discussion method , Socratic

method or any other method that encourages mental exercise and
develops mental faculties are recommended by the idealist.
 DISCIPLINE
• The theory of discipline of the idealists is based on their concept
of freedom.
• Idealist like to give freedom to children but that will be a
qualified freedom.
• It should be for activity.
• Freedom does not mean license. It implies responsibility and
should be the result of discipline.
• Therefore, wise direction, judicious control and stimulating
guidance of the teacher are necessary.
• Their emphasis is on self-discipline.
 IDEALISM AND TEACHER
• An idealist teacher is imbued fully with high degree of self-
knowledge , self dynamism and essential qualities of spiritualism.

• By his on model of life , he tries to shape the individuality of the

child to a life of purity ,virtue, and great achievement.

• He creates a wholesome conductive atmosphere by his own

activities and planned experiences for the child.
• He guides the child with such genuine love , affection and
sympathy that he attain his full mental and spiritual
development.
 IDEALISM AND SCHOOL
• School is a place where the capacities of logical thinking ,
reasoning and evaluating of the child are progressively
sublimated
• and developed by teachers and the school environment into
desirable channels so that high spiritual ideals and values are
gained.
• Such noble mission , according to idealism , may be achieved
through proper guidance of teacher gives in school.

• Hence, Idealists consider school and its impressionistic

environment as greatly essential.