Idealism

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Idealism

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

eye-DEE-uh-liz-um  /aɪˈdɪəlɪz(ə)m/

Definition

The belief in or pursuit of high principles and ideals, especially when they are considered impractical or unrealistic; in philosophy, the theory that reality is fundamentally mental or spiritual in nature, and that the physical world either does not exist independently of the mind or can only be understood through mental concepts.

Plain meaning

Idealism in everyday use means believing in high principles and trying to achieve them, even when reality makes it difficult — the idealism of youth, political idealism. In philosophy, idealism is the view that reality is ultimately mental rather than physical. The great German Idealists — Kant, Hegel, Fichte — shaped much of Western philosophy.

Register

Neutral to positive in the everyday sense (an idealist is someone with high principles); neutral to technical in the philosophical sense. Idealist is often used slightly condescendingly to mean someone whose principles are admirable but impractical.