2.
It is generally derived from the Greek word
‘idien’ meaning ‘to see’. Idealism is the oldest
systematic philosophy in Western culture.
On this philosophy, ideas are the only true
reality, the ultimate truths for matter is nothing
but a mere representation of ideas.
Idealism
3.
Emphasis is given on knowledge obtained by
speculation and reasoning for it central tenet
is that ideas are the only thing worth
knowing for.
Focus is on conscious reasoning of the mind
in order to attain truth.
Idealism
4.
The Idealists have given more importance to
ideas over the objects and materials. According
to them, knowledge of mind and soul can be
obtained through ideas only.
The idealist are understood to represent the
world as it might, or should be.
The Idealist
6.
Socrates (469-399 B.C.)
He was an ancient Greek
Philosopher. He left behind
no writings of his own.
Although his ideas were only
transmitted orally through a
dialectal question-and-
answer approach, Plato
wrote them down and
detailed the Socratic method
7.
Socrates (469-399 B.C.)
which is the process of gaining knowledge by
carefully questioning and then criticizing the
answers. He also held that virtue is a kind of
knowledge and that anyone who knows what
virtue is cannot help but act virtuously.
8.
Plato (427-347 B.C.)
A Greek philosopher who
was remarkably equipped
with natural endowments.
He became an ardent and
admirer of Socrates. Plato
was considered to be the
most important philosopher
who ever lived.
“People should concern themselves in
searching for truth”
9.
Plato (427-347 B.C.)
He is known as the father of idealism in
philosophy. He did not think that man created
knowledge. Rather, man discovered knowledge. He
believed in the importance of searching for truth
because truth was perfect and eternal. He wrote
about separating the world of ideas (forms) from
the world of matter (ever-changing).
10.
Plato (427-347 B.C.)
In his writings, Plato is the most concerned with
separating the permanent form the temporary, the
real from which is illusory.
PLATONIC IDEALISM
Platonic idealism
11.
Plato (427-347 B.C.)
PLATONIC IDEALISM
Platonic idealism usually refers to Plato’s theory of
forms or doctrine of ideas. Plato held the realm of
ideas to be absolute reality. Plato’s method was the
dialectic method (critical discussion) – all thinking
begins with a thesis.
12.
Plato (427-347 B.C.)
According to Platonic idealism, there exists a
perfect realm of form and ideas and our world
merely contains shadows of that realm; ideas can be
known or have any reality.
13.
René Descartes
A French philosopher,
mathematician, scientist, and
was called the “Father of
Modern Philosophy”. He
was educated by the Jesuits
who he admired for their
devoted work toward
teaching, but for whom he
developed great
dissatisfaction because of
their doctrinaire ideas.
René Descartes
(1596 - 1650 C.E.)
14.
René Descartes
(1596-1650 C.E.)
In his Discourse on Method and Meditations
on First Philosophy, Descartes arrived at his
Cartesian first principle: “I think, therefore, I
am”. He decided that he could throw all
things into doubt except that he was thinking
and doubting.
15.
René Descartes
(1596-1650 C.E.)
He also divided his world into two areas. For
him the two areas were the cogito and the
Deity. Descartes was a true doubter. He
attacked his thought processes by challenging
the existence of every idea including his own
existence. The one truth that he proved was
that in doubting everything he arrived at the
consensus that even if one doubted every
issue – the truth that couldn’t be denied was
that one was thinking.
16. Modern idealism – all objects are
identical with some idea and the
ideal knowledge is itself the
system of ideas.
