Idealism

Idealism is a philosophical approach that has as its central meaning that ideas are
the only true reality, the only thing worth knowing. In a search for truth, beauty, and
justice that is enduring and everlasting, the focus is on conscious reasoning in the
mind. Plato, father of Idealism, espoused this view about 400 years BC, in his
famous book, The Republic. Plato believed that there are two worlds. The first is the
spiritual or mental world, which is eternal, permanent, orderly, regular, and universal.
There is also the world of appearance, the world experienced through sight, touch,
smell, taste, and sound, that is changing, imperfect, and disorderly.

The Aims of Education

In idealism the aim of education is to discover and develop each individual's

abilities and full moral excellence in order to better serve society.

Methods of Teaching

Teaching methods focus on handling ideas through lecture, discussion, and

Socratic dialogue (a method of teaching that uses questioning to help
students discover and clarify knowledge). Introspection, intuition, insight, and
whole-part logic are used to bring to consciousness the forms or concepts
which are latent in the mind. Character is developed through imitating
examples and heroes.

Curriculum

The curricular emphasis is subject matter of mind: literature, history,

philosophy, and religion.

Role of the Teacher

idealism is traditional philosophy of education in which teacher has centeral
role who has to be role model so that the students will adopt his model to
become good citizen.

Role of the Student

Idealists have imagined an ideal student. To Bogoslovasky, The student is a

finite person, growing, when properly educated into the image of an infinite
person. Idealists give more importance to thoughts and secondary place to
student in the educational process.

They consider a child under the control of the teacher. Teacher is the maker
of his destiny. A student must obey his teacher.

The order of his teacher is supreme for him and he must follow it. Other
directions may be ignored. A student must have qualities like respect towards
his teacher. The relationship between teacher and taught must be positive
and congenial.
Reference:

Author: Knight, G. R. (1998).

Book Title: Issues and alternatives in educational philosophy (3rd ed.). Michigan:
Andrew University Press.

Author: Singh, Y.K. 2007).

Book Title: (Philosophical foundations of education. New Delhi: APH
Publishing Corporation.