Western Philosophy : Idealism

IDEALISM

Topics to discuss

  • Idealism; theme and major proponents
  • Fundamental principles of Idealism
  • Principles of education according to Idealism
  • Aims of Education
  • Shape of Curriculum
  • Methods of teaching
  • Teachers authority and role
  • Learner / student
  • Shape and role of school
  • Type of recommended discipline in class and school

Major proponents of Idealism

  • Socrates
  • Plato
  • Froebel
  • Descartes
  • Immanuel  Kant,
  • Fitche

Idealism

  • Oldest philosophy
  • Basic Notion: Ideas are the only true reality
  • Focus on mind where ideas emerge
  • Ideas appear in mind, and they are expressed with help of language
  • Religious philosophy focusing on spirituality,
  • Where Idea is of the prime importance

 

Types of world

  • Material world
  • Spiritual world (Ideal/ Real world)

Life is spiritual journey to explore the truth which is embodied in the things.

 

Fundamental Principles of Idealism

  • Idealism insists on to achieve God, ultimate reality
  • Spiritual perfection is necessary
  • Accepts the presence of spiritual world
  • Values are Spiritual, supreme and universal and permanent
  • Values are pre-determined
  • Monistic concept: asserts that a variety of existing things can be explained in terms of a single reality or substance.

 

Principles of Education in context of Idealism

  • Education is based on spiritualism
  • Emphasizes on mental capacities
  • Teachers and content are the center of education
  • Emphasizes book learning
  • Both individual and society are focused

Aims of Education

  • Self-realization
  • Improvement of personality through Spiritual development
  • Realization of truth, beauty and goodness
  • Conservation, promotion and transmission of cultural heritage

 

 

 

Shape of Curriculum in Idealism

  1. Based according to ideals and eternal values
  2. Humanistic subjects are emphasized
  • Intellectual to promote mental capacities like language, literature, history, geography, mathematics
  • Aesthetics: Art and poetry
  • Moral: religion and ethics

Methods of Teaching

Did not committed any one mode, various methods have been recommended

Important are ;

  • Socratic Dialogue
  • Conversation/ Argumentation
  • Lecture
  • Book study
  • Kindergarten

Role of Teacher

  • Teacher has a central and supreme place
  • Teacher is not a knowledge dispensing machine
  • Expert to help the earner to explore reality for him/her
  • He should work as the gardener, able to nourish the learner as a plant

Discipline

  • Idealism advocate discipline at all costs
  • Freedom is to be restricted by ideals
  • Reflection of discipline in fixed /rigid routine and law for all

Shape and role of school

School is only and best place for regular and effective education

 

Focused/ Summary

  • Moral education
  • Integrated curriculum
  • Believed in eternal values
  • Emphases of self-discipline
  • High and central place given to the teacher
  • Methodology of teaching for mental and spiritual growth

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