IDEALISM

EDUC 102

IDEALISM

refers to any philosophy that argues that reality is somehow dependent upon the mind rather than independent of it.

IDEALISM
Idealist believe that ideas are the only true reality. The material world is characterized by change, instability, and uncertainty; some ideas are enduring.

IDEALISM
We should be concerned primarily with the search for truth. Since truth is perfect and eternal, it cannot be found in the world of matter that is both imperfect and constantly changing.

Methods of IDEALISM
Study the classics for universal truths Mathematics (2+3=5 is an absolute truth) Dialectic (critical discussion)
The dialectic looks at both sides of an issue

Lecture is used to transmit known truths and to stimulate thinking.

Educational Aims of Idealism

Develop the mind Search for true ideas Character development Self-realization

Educational Aims of Idealism

True education is concerned with ideas rather than matter. The idealists wants to give students a broad understanding of the world in which they live.

The Idealist and the Chair

To an idealist, the concept of chair is important. You could destroy all the chairs in the world but they would still exist in the mind. The idea of a chair is the ultimate truth.

Criticisms of Idealism
Some of the types of idealism are in conflict with one another. (e.g. spiritual monism and spiritual pluralism are opposites) Basic weakness of idealism is its rejection of the verifiability principle

Criticisms of Idealism
Critics also severely attacked the ontological and the mystical arguments for idealism. The function of idealism is to provide philosophical support for religious faith (called by Lenin fideism), phenomenalism too is religious in its tendency.

Criticisms of Idealism
Sensible things are only those immediately perceived-eliminates the possibility of skepticism! There is no material existence beyond perception: reality is just thought and perception. Esse est percipi!

George Berkeley (1658-1753)

born on March 12, 1685 near Kilkenny, Ireland eldest son of William Berkeley, a cadet of the noble family of Berkeley educated at Kilkenny College and attended Trinity College, Dublin, completing a Master's degree in 1707

George Berkeley: Achievements

An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision (1709) 1st important published work Treatise concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous

George Berkeley: Influence

Existence is dependent upon some mind to know it, and if there are no minds, nothing would exist unless it is perceived in the mind of God. "esse est percipi" ("to be is to be perceived") there are only two kinds of things: spirits and ideas. Spirits are simple, active beings which produce and perceive ideas; ideas are passive beings which are produced and perceived.