IDEALISM

AGENDA CHAPTER 2 Defining Idealism Situating Idealism Why Study Idealism? Idealism as a Philosophy of Education Metaphysics Epistemology Axiology Logic Role of School, Teachers, Students and Curriculum

Defining Idealism Begins with two root words, idea and ideal. To have an idea means to have a thought, a concept, or a mental picture about something. Idealists believe that striving for perfection is a desirable goal. Idealism asserts that reality is spiritual or nonmaterial. (It may or may not have religious orientation.) (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Situating Idealism Idealism is traced back to the classical Greek philosopher Plato ( 428-348 B.C.). The study of philosophy, even today, begins with Plato’s philosophical discourse with Socrates. Socrates used a questioning methods to force others to reflect and defend their positions in order to get the other person to think about his beliefs and recognize why he holds them. P. 16 Plato saw realigy as an all-inclusive, perfect, highly abstract concept rom which all other ideas are derived. His epistemology assumed that knowledge was absolute and eternal; that pure ideas rather than sensation were the highest forms of knowing. True knowledge comes through reminiscence, recall or remembering of ideas that are latently present in the human mind. Transcendentalism is a form of Idealism and was perported by Ralph Waldo Emerson during the early 19th century. Transcendentalism had important educational implications—we can overcome materialism by looking into nature and could constantly improve ourselves and bring about social reform. Many public school proponents bought into this and believed that public education would be the means of improving and uplifting the moral and ethical character of Americans. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Why Study Idealism? There are at least three reasons for studying Idealism: Because of its long history. For global or enumenical purposes. Because it underlies many commonly held beliefs. Idealism helps create a broad global perspective that contributes to an understanding of cultures worldwide. It provides a philosophical foundation of how reality is viewed in come of the major cultures of Asia. Especially the detachment ofrom materialism that is important in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The cultivation of internal spirituality and serenity is common among people who find psychic emptiness with materialism and consumerism. Some educators see teaching as an attempt to unleash the spiritual potential that lies within us all. For true learning we must oversome materialsm and consumerism. These educators look for models of good life and its values for students to emulate. The call of Idealism is to seek higher ideals and the kind of life that exemplifies these ideals. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Idealism as a Philosophy of Education Metaphysics – refers to that which is ultimately real. For Idealists that which is ultimately real is spiritual, nonmaterial, purely conceptual, or a pure idea. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Idealism as a Philosophy of Education Epistemology – Examines issues of how we know. For Idealists, knowing is essentially a process of bringing to consciousness, to our spiritual and mental surface, the truth that is present within our minds. According to Plato, prior to birth… p.22 Plato believed those seeking truth should overcome false images that appear to the senses from so many modern materialistic objects. The modern world is replete with consumerism and disinformation that bombard people…including the media that offers dynamic programs that appeal to the senses. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Idealism as a Philosophy of Education Axiology – Examines issues of ethical and aesthetic values. For Idealists, value formation, or character education, is highly important in a person’s education Idealists reaffirm their belief that human beings are essentially spiritual and intellectual. The origin of human spirituality and intellectuality is found in a Supreme Supernatural Being or and Absolute Principle, values, like truth are universal , eternal, and unchanging. Ideas are not relative to different times, places, environments, or situations. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Idealism as a Philosophy of Education Logic – For Idealists, logic is based on a whole-part relationship in which the whole is greater than the sum of it parts. Another way of stating Idealist logic is to refer to the relationship between the general and the specific. Idealists are quick to point out inconsistencies in thinking patters presented by deductive and inductive reasoning. In education, Idealist logic works to develop major concepts in the students mind. Actions then conform to these principals…always in an attempt to reach the highest level of generality and guide standards of excellence. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Role of Schools, Teachers, Students and Curriculum Schools are institutions, established by society, for the primary purpose of developing student’s spirituality or intellectuality. Teachers must assist students in developing to their potential and achieving their fullest potential and intellectual growth. All education is self-education, stimulated by skilled teachers who motivate their students to search within themselves to find the truth that is latently present. The student is on a spiritual and intellectual journey to find what is true, good , and beautiful. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

Role of Schools, Teachers, Students and Curriculum (cont) The true student, with the teacher as a guide, in on a spiritual and intellectual journey to find what is true, good, and beautiful. The school curriculum is designed to prepare students for adult life and help develop the skills ad knowledge to recognize and learn that which is important for the future. Idealists identify with those who see the curriculum as a body of subjects that are organized around basic principals. But they believe that once the basic principals are understood, ideas should transcend the disciplines and develop integrative and interdisciplinary insights to unify the knowledge. In addition to their pedagogical skills and knowledge base, Idealist teachers sould be models of the culture, persons who inspire students and are worth of their emulation. (c) 2008 Prentice-Hall, All rights reserved.

SUMMARY CHAPTER 2 Defining Idealism Situating Idealism Why Study Idealism? Idealism as a Philosophy of Education Metaphysics Epistemology Axiology Logic Role of School, Teachers, Students and Curriculum