2. ● Idealism is the oldest philosophical thought.
● Human life has two dimensions- Spiritual and Material.
● The word idealism is derived from two distinct sources- the idea
and the ideal.
● The metaphysical and epistemological doctrine that ideas or
thoughts make up fundamental reality.
● A philosophy which argues that the only thing actually knowable is
consciousness
● In general parlance. “idealism” is also used to describe a persons
high ideals (principles or values actively pursued as a goal).
3. Principles of Idealism:
1. Two forms of the Whole World: Idealism believes in two
forms of the world: (1) Spiritual world and (2) Material world
2. Ideas are more important than objects
3. Importance of Man over Nature
4. Faith in Spiritual Values
5. Importance of Personality Development
6. Universal Mind
7. Realization of Higher values
4. ● Self realization or exhaltation of personality.
● To ensure spiritual development.
● Conservation, promotion and transmission of cultural
heritage.
● Convertion of inborn nature into spiritual nature.
● Preparation for holy life .
● Development of intelligence and rationality.
● Education to the level of capacity.
5. ● Views of Plato about Curriculum: the aim of life is to
realize God which is possible only by pursuing high ideals
namely Truth, Beauty and Goodness.
● Views of Herbert about Curriculum: the Idealistic aim of
education is the promotion of moral values.
● Views of Nunn about Curriculum: it is the function of
school to promote and maintain morality and the
historical tradition to preserve and develop its
achievements more and more.
● Views of Ross about Curriculum: man can develop
spirituality only if he is physically healthy.
6. ● “Idealists consider themselves as creators and determiners of
methods, not devotees of someone method”. – Butler
(a) Question – Answer method - Plato
(b) Discussion method - Aristotle
(c) Induction and Deduction - Aristotle
(d) Simple to complex - Descrates
(e) Instruction method – Herbart
(f) Playway method - Frobel
(g) Lecture Method
(h) Project Method etc.
7. A teacher should:
● imbued fully with high degree of self-knowledge, self-
dynamism and essential qualities of spiritualism;
● try to shape the individuality of the child to a life of
purity, virtue and great achievements;
● create a wholesome conducive atmosphere by his/her
own activities and planned experiences for the child;
and
● guide the child with such genuine love, affection and
sympathy that he/she attains his full mental and spiritual
development.
