- Idealism is a Western philosophy that considers the spiritual world superior to the material world and believes that God created the universe. The ultimate goal of human life is self-realization through moral laws.
- Major proponents of idealism include Plato, Socrates, Gandhi, Vivekananda, Radhakrishnan, and Froebel. Fundamental principles are that the universe was created by God, the spiritual world is superior, and the goal is self-realization through truth, goodness, and beauty.
- The aims of education according to idealism are spiritual development and realizing truth, goodness, and beauty by developing the natural, social, intellectual, and spiritual self through subjects
2. INTRODUCTION
IDEALISM ISTHE ANCIENTWESTERN PHILOSOPHY
It is thatschool ofwesternphilosophywhich considers;
This universeis created by god.
Spiritual world is superior to material world.
God is theultimate reality and soul is the part of god.
Ultimate aim of humanlifeis self-realization, which is achieved by moral laws.
3. EXPONENTS
Propounders of Idealism is Plato.
Other chief Exponents of Idealism are as follows;
Socrates -----Kant
M.k.Gandhi ------- Hegel
Swami Vivekananda ----Shankar Acharya
Aurobindo Ghosh ---- Green
Radhakrishanan -----Fitche
Swami Dayananda Saraswati ----- Barkley
Froebel ------Spinoza
4. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF IDEALISM
This universe is created by god
Spiritual world is superior to material world
Man is the best creation of the world.
Ultimate aim of human life is self-realization.
Truth, goodness and beauty is essential for self-realization.
5. AIMS OF EDUCATION
Ultimate aim is to know form of soul and God.
Man has to cross 4 stages to know this-
Develop natural self.
Develop social self.
Intellectual self.
Spiritual development.
Cultural development.
Conservation, promotion and transmission of cultural heritage.
Realization of truth, goodness and beauty.
6. CURRICULUM OF EDUCATION
Intellectual activities Moral activities Aesthetic activities
Mathematics
Language
Literature
History
Science
Theology
Ethics
Spiritual topics
Art
Music
7. METHODS OF TEACHING
Idealists havenot adopted anyspecific or definite method of teaching.
Theyadvocated manymethods. Theythinkthemselves ascreatorof methods andnotslave of anyparticularmethod.
Idealists prescribe the following methods of teaching
Instructionmethod Herbart
Conversationmethod Plato
Logical method Hegel
Practiceand repetitionmethod Pestalozzi
Play-waymethod Froebel
Inductive& deductive methods Aristotle
8. DISCIPLINE AND IDEALISM
Idealism believes in inner discipline.
Freedom of child should be restricted.
Human behavior should have internal control rather than external one like praise
and punishment.
Emphasize on impressionistic discipline.
9. TEACHER AND IDEALISM
Role of teacher is supreme and important.
Teacher helps in moral & spiritual development.
Teacher is pivot (centre) of the education process.
In Indian idealism, teacher has been considered equal to 3 gods (tri-dev).
10. SCHOOL AND IDEALISM
According to idealism, school is the only place for regular and effective education.
School is an ideal of pleasing and joyful activities for children.
Students come into contact with ideal teachers in schools and get the education of
high ideals.