Idealism and realism are two philosophies of education. Idealism believes that ideas and spiritual realities are more important than material objects. It aims to develop students' self-realization and spiritual growth. Realism believes that material objects exist independently of human perception. It aims to prepare students for life by developing their physical and mental abilities through subjects like science and mathematics. Both philosophies have influenced curriculum, teaching methods, and the role of teachers in education systems.

1. IDEALISM AND REALISM

2. IDEALISM

3. –ideas are the only true reality, the
only thing worth knowing.

4. Idealism is born out of Plato’s” Theory of Ideas.”
 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.

5. DEFINITIONS:
“Idealism holds that ultimate reality is spiritualism”
D.M.Dutta
“Idealistic philosophy takes many and varied forms,
but the postulate underlying all this is that mind or
spirit is essential world stuff , that the true reality is
of a mental character. “ -J.S.Ross

7. 1)Two forms of the 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

8. 2)Ideas are more important than object
According to Idealists, knowledge of mind and soul
can be obtained through ideas only.

9. 3.) Importance of man over nature
To Idealism man is more important than material
nature.

10. 4)Faith in spiritual value
According to idealists , the prime aim of life is to achieve
spiritual value.

11. 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.

12. CHIEF
EXPONENTS OF
IDEALISM

13. – WESTERN CULTURE
PLATO (427 – 347 BC) DESCARTES (1596-
1650)

14. – INDIAN CULTURE
SWAMI DAYANAND SARASWATI AUROBINDO GOSH
(1825 – 1883) (1872 - 1950)

15. IDEALISM AND AIM
OF EDUCATION

16. SELF - REALIZATION
– First aim of education according to, is to develop the self of
the individual higher and higher until self-realization
achieved.
– In the word of J.S. ROSS
The aim of education specially associated with idealism,
is the exhalation of personality or self-realization, the making
actual or real the highest potentialities of self.

17. 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.

18. Cultivate truth, beauty and
goodness
– Truth, beauty and goodness should be
encouraged more and more.
– The more an individual realizes these ideals,
the more spiritually develop he will become.

19. 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.

20. Idealism
and
Curriculum

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.
Discipline

24. 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.

25.  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.
Idealism and School

26.  Idealistic education emphasizes the inculcation of highest
values namely
 Truth , Beauty and Goodness. This will lead to the
development of a moral character of child.
 Idealist education aim at self realization of all individuals by
one’s own effort. Hence it promote universal education.
 Idealism emphasizes the principle of self –discipline. This
principle leads to the development of the self of an individual.

27. The Church and Idealism
– Idealism has exerted a great amount of influence on Christianity.
– For centuries the Christian church was the creator and protector of schooling.
– Generations educated in these schools were indoctrinated with the idealist
point of view (including early
American education).

28. 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.

29. IMPACT OF IDEALISM TO THE PRESENT
EDUCATION
 Education Implication:
The ultimate aim of idealism particularly in the context of education is
the development of the mind and the self.
 Curriculum Focus:
The focus of curriculum according to the idealists should give subject
matter in school which is essential for moral and mental development.
 Teaching-Learning Process:
1. The teacher is intellectually and morally excellent.
2. The school sharpens one’s intellectual processes.
 Classroom Practices and Methods:
1. The teaching of Catholic religion or developing of faith among students
in school is bedrocked on the philosophy of idealism.
2. Provision for thinking and application of criteria for moral evaluation
are based on idealism.
3. The teacher creates a learning environment but the students are
responsible for motivation and learning.

30. REALISM

31. Meaning Of Realism
The term realism come from the Latin “realists”
who is to be really, really real.
Realism refers to the things exist whether or not
the human mind perceives them.

32. Did you know that...
 Aristotle was the leading proponent of realism and the
first philosopher to develop a systematic theory of logic.
 In a more deeper meaning of realism, it is a philosophy
that assumes that there is a real external world that can
be recognized.

33. THOMAS AQUINAS
• God made it possible to acquire true knowledge so that we may know Him
better.
• Because we are children of God, our best thinking should agree with
Christian tenets.
• Each person is born with an immortal soul.
• Aquinas epitomized the scholasticism of the Middle Ages.
• Scholasticism is an approach that emphasized the human’s eternal soul and
salvation.

34. Realists
Aristotle St. Thomas Aquinas

35. Educational
Implications
of Realism

36. REALISM
Reality
(ontology)
A world of things
Truth or knowledge (epistemology) Correspondence and sensation (as we see it)
Goodness (axiology) Laws of Nature
Teaching reality doctrine Subjects of physical world: math, science, social studies
Teaching truth Teaching for mastery of information: demonstrate, recite
Teaching goodness Training in rules of conduct
Why schools exist To reveal the order of the world and universe
What should be taught Laws of physical reality
Role of the teacher Displays, imparts knowledge
Role of the student Manipulates, passive participation
School's attitude towards change Always coming toward perfection, orderly change

37. Realism and Aims of Education
• Preparing the child for happy and successful life
• Preparing the child for a real life
• Developing the physical and mental powers of the child
• Developing and training of senses
• Acquainting the child with nature and social
environment
• Imparting vocational education

38. Realism and Aims of Education
• Understanding the material world through inquiry
• A study of science and the scientific method
• A need to know the world in order to ensure survival
and good life
• Basic, essential knowledge with a no-nonsense
approach
• Transmit culture and develop human nature

39. • Developed according to Utility and Needs
• Subjects concerning day to day activities
• Main subjects are – natural science, physical
science, health culture, physical exercise, m
ath, geography, history, astronomy
Realism and Curriculum

40. Realism and the Teacher
• Supreme – brings the child in touch with
externalrealities of life
• Imparts scientific knowledge in an easy and
effective way
• Gets testing results that can help prove that the
students are learning the material

41. Realism and the Teacher
• A teacher should be educated and well versed with the
customs of belief and rights and duties of people, and the
trends.
• He must have full mastery of the knowledge of present
life.
• He must be able to expose and guide the student
towards the hard realities of life. (neither pessimist, nor
optimist)

42. Realism and the Teacher
• He must be able to co-relate between utility in
daily life and education.
• He should define simple rules.
• He should teach subjects in proper order.
• He needs to find out the interest of the child
and to teach accordingly.

43. Methods of Teaching
• Emphasis on critical reasoning through observation
• Supports accountability and performance-based
teaching
• Scientific research and development
• Mastery of facts: Recitation, experimentation,
demonstration, drills, exercises
• Education should proceed from simple to complex and
from concrete to abstract

44. Methods of Teaching
• Enhanced learning thru direct or indirect experiences: Field trips,
lectures, films, TV, audio-visual aids, computer technology &
library.
• Learning is based on facts – analysis – questioning.
• Vernacular to be the medium of instruction.
• Precision and order: ringing bells, time periods, daily lesson
plans, pre-packaged curriculum materials
• Children should be given positive rewards

45. • Focuses on the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic.
• Classroom environment is highly structured and organized.
• Utilization of standardized testing.
• Education should be fun and interesting for the student.
• Education should prepare students for life in the real
world.
Realism in the Classroom

46. IMPACT OF REALISM TO THE
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
– Promotes the study of science and the scientific method
– There are essential ideas and facts to be learned;
therefore lecture and other formal methods of teaching
are useful

47. Realism and Education
– Find specialization to be desirable
– Like structure
– ringing bells, departments, daily lesson plans
– If something exists, it can be measured
– IQ, Effective teaching
– Approve of competencies,
performance-based teaching,
accountability

48. Realism and Education
– Teacher should present material in a systematic, organized
way and teach that there are clearly defined criteria for
making judgements in art, economics, politics, etc.

49. The Realist and the Chair
To a realist, the actuality of
“chair” is important. A realist
would measure the chair,
weigh it, examine the physical
characteristics, etc. The fact
that the chair exists is the
ultimate truth.

50. • Realism is a Subject matter.
• It concentrates on the humanistic and scientific principles
• Its values is based on universal laws.
• Realist teachers focuses on teaching scientific methods of
• problem solving.
• Character development: teaching student’s accountability, rigor,
and instilling practical knowledge.
• Realist teachers should be experts in their subject-matter.
Conclusion