What does idealism mean?
Idealism is a noun with both a precise philosophical meaning and a broader everyday meaning. In philosophy, it denotes the view that reality is fundamentally constituted by ideas or that the mind plays a central role in determining what can be known. In general use, idealism describes a commitment to high principles, perfect conditions, or worthy goals, often with the implication that practical obstacles have been insufficiently considered. The word can sound admirable when it refers to principled vision, but critical speakers may use it to suggest naïveté or impracticality. In discussions of art, idealism can refer to the representation of beauty or perfection in an idealized form. Idealism is especially associated with major philosophical traditions, including German idealism and the work of Immanuel Kant, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Friedrich Schelling, and G. W. F. Hegel. Its history is closely connected with debates over the relationship between mind, ideas, and reality, making it a useful term for discussing both philosophical systems and the gap between visionary intentions and practical action.
nounIdealism is the philosophical doctrine that reality is fundamentally mental or constituted by ideas. More generally, it means a commitment to high principles, perfect conditions, or idealized goals, often without sufficient regard for practical limitations.
- The philosophical doctrine that reality is fundamentally mental or consists of ideas.
- A strong commitment to high principles, perfect conditions, or idealized goals, sometimes without adequate regard for practical limitations.
- In art criticism, the representation or pursuit of idealized beauty rather than ordinary reality.
"Her idealism inspired the project, but its impractical ambitions exposed her to criticism."
"The students' idealism led them to imagine a society based on cooperation and equal opportunity."
"In philosophy, metaphysical idealism argues that the fundamental nature of reality is mental."
The plural is uncommon and usually refers to distinct philosophical doctrines or traditions of idealism.
"The book compares several rival idealisms and their accounts of reality."
Idealism asks whether the world we see is the world itself—or a pattern of ideas shaped by the mind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does idealism come from?
The word entered English in the early 17th century from French idéalisme, formed from idéal. French idéal was borrowed from Latin idealis, meaning “pertaining to an idea,” ultimately associated with Greek idea, “form” or “pattern.” English ideal, ideality, ideate, and ideology belong to related branches of this same intellectual and linguistic family.
Related word forms
How idealism is actually used
The word is usually formal and abstract. It can express admiration for principled or visionary thinking, but it may also imply impracticality or an insufficient concern with concrete conditions.
Easily confused with idealism
Ideology is a body of beliefs or a system of ideas, often political or social, whereas idealism is primarily a philosophical position or a disposition toward idealized goals.