INTRODUCTION
Idealism
is a very old philosophical thought and it has exercised a potent influence on
the mind of man throughout the ages. Even in modern times when people are not
inclined towards accepting any dogmatic creed or philosophy, idealism has
certain attractions which appeal to the human mind and thereby exercise a great
influence on human thinking. In education the influence of idealism has gone a
long way to restrict some of the radical thinking and establish the worth of the
eternal ideals and values of life.
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The word idealism is derived from two distinct
sources-the idea and the ideal. Idea means true and testified knowledge. The
word ideal stands for the perfected form of an idea or ideas. An idealist does
not have considerations for material values of life. A thinker who idolizes
‘Mind and Self’ is an idealist. Idealism is one of the oldest schools of
philosophy.
TYPES OF
IDEALISM
(a) ABSOLUTE
IDEALISM
It is the one type which has
found its way into educational philosophy. This lays down that the heart of
reality is to be found in thought or reason. Reason is absolute; in fact it is
the absolute. Being absolute, it is also one i.e., monistic. Everything, thus,
is interrelated and all contradictions reconciled. Furthermore the complete
cause of any single occurrence involves the whole of reality. The cosmos is
great thought process, and the absolute is god thinking. Everything happens as
a result of the self-willed idea i. e. absolute. The absolute is already
complete, and self-realized. Nature is the medium through which the absolute
progressively reveals itself in external form. Mind of man however, is a part
of the absolute whole. The absolute being the whole and education being a part
thereof, it may be that study of the fragment may reveal important facts of the
totality.
The centralistic approach to
idealism on the whole has committed this educational philosophy to the prominent
importance of consciousness. Mind is ultimately spiritual, not materialistic.
Human nature is to be viewed, as more than a behaving organism, responding to
the stimuli of its environment. Man is too atomistic. Idealism stresses certain
wholeness. Nothing happens in any part of the system that does not affect the
rest.
On religious and moral
education, the definition of the absolute is unmistakably of theistic
characteristics. Since the aim of education is the increasing realization of
the absolute, all education appears tinged with religious significance. This
includes moral education. Reason being the absolute, the universe is one of law
and order. So too there is a oral law in the universe backed by the authority
of the absolute. Thus lays an inescapable moral imperative on education.
(b) MODERN
IDEALISM
It has given a different tune to
educational philosophy. In this concept idealism more to do this idea as metal
state. n this idealism might be called a philosophy of idealism. The `I` of
idealism being interested for euphony. The knowledge one has of his environment
is idea of it. The environment in itself cannot be known through intermediate
idea of it. The environments in itself cannot be known directly. It can only be
known through intermediate idea of human knower. From which the learner’s
knowledge takes, therefore, is bound to be in part the product of his human way
of apprehending it. Such concepts are supplied by the mind of human learning.
FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES OF IDEALISM
The
fundamental principles of idealism are:
(1) TWO
FORMS OF THE WHOLE WORLD
Idealism believes in two forms of the world-
Spiritual world and Material world, Idealists gives more importance to
spiritual world in comparison to the material world. They believe that
spiritual world is real and the ultimate truth whereas the material world is
transitory and moral. According to Horne- “Idealism holds that the order of the
world is due to the manifestation in space and time of an eternal and spiritual
reality.”
(2) IDEAS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN OBJECT
According
to Idealists, knowledge of mind and soul can be obtained through ideas only.
Hence, they have given more importance to ideas over the objects and material
or later. In the words of Plato “Ideas are of the ultimate cosmic significance.
They are rather the essences or archetypes which give form to cosmos. These
ideas are eternal and unchanging.”
(3)IMPORTANCE OF MAN OVER NATUR
To
Idealists, man is more important than material nature. It is because man can
think and experience about material objects and material phenomena. Hence, the thinker
or the one who experiences is more important than the object or the phenomena
experienced. Man is endowed with intelligence and a sense of discrimination.
Thus, he is not a slave of the environment as animals are but the moulds and
transforms the environment for his own good and welfare of the society. In
short, he creates his own world of virtue and his creativity achieves higher
and higher levels of art in many areas.
(4)FAITH IN SPIRITUAL VALUES
According
to Idealists, prime aim of life is to achieve spiritual values-Truth, beauty
and goodness. These spiritual values are undying and permanent. The realization
of these values is the realization of god. In the pursuit of these absolute
values man rises higher and higher in the moral plane till he attains divinity.
For the achievement of these spiritual values all the capacities of man are to
be harnessed to the full. These capacities are- knowing, feeling and
willing.
(5)IMPORTANCE OF PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
Idealists give much importance to the ‘self’
of the individual. Hence they insist upon the fullest development of the
personality of an individual. According to them the development of personality
means achievement of ‘perfection’. Plato rightly speaks that each individual
has an ideal self. He tries to develop that ideal ‘self’ more and more. This
self-realization is the true sense of the term. It may be noted that
self-realization means knowledge of the ‘self’ or soul. This self-realization
can only be achieved in society. Hence, development of social qualities is very
essential for self-realization as it expresses itself in the form of love,
sympathy, fellow-feeling and co-operation for the good of all and
discrimination among human beings on any basis of caste, creed, sex, race or
status etc. It clears the fact that Idealism advocates the concept of universal
education. In short Idealism believes in the welfare of whole human community.
(6)FULL SUPPORT TO THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY IN
DIVERSITY
Idealists give full support to the principle
of Unity in Diversity. They believe that is of spiritual nature. This may be
called Universal Consciousness or Divinity. This underlying divine force
maintains the existence and working of all entities. Idealists call this power
as God, the Supreme Force which is omnipotent and omnipresent.
IDEALISM AND
AIMS OF EDUCATION
Idealism
prescribes certain fundamental aims of education which are directly influenced
by the aims and principles of life. In this context Ross puts forth the view,
“The function of education is to help us in our exploration of the ultimate
universal values so that truth of the universe may become our truth and give
power to our life.’’ Some of the important aims of education as laid down by
idealists are given below
(1) SELF
REALIZATION.
According to idealism man
is the most beautiful creation of god-His grandest work. It lays great stress
on the exaltation of human personality
it is self-realization The aim of
education is to develop the self of the individuals
higher till self-realization
is achieved It is in fact making actual or real the highest potentialities of the
self.
(2) UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
Education according to
idealism should be universal in nature.
The universe is regarded as a thought process. Education should be based
on the teaching of Universal truth from the stand-point of rationality of the
Universe
(3) SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.
Idealists give greater
importance to spiritual values in comparison with material attainments.
According to Rusk, “Education must enable Mankind through its culture to enter more and more
fully into the spiritual realm, and also enter more and more fully into the
spiritual realm, and also enlarge the boundaries of spiritual realm”.
(4)TRANSMISSION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL
HERITAGE
The
aim of idealistic education is the preservation ; enrichment and
transmission of culture, Education
must contribute to the
development of culture .It
should help in enlarging
the boundaries of spiritual realm
(5)CULTIVATION OF MORAL VALUES
According to idealism, man is essentially a moral being. Therefore, moral, intellectual and aesthetic
aspects of his personality should be promoted. According to Dr.Prem
Nath “The process of education
must lead to the deepest spiritual insight and
to the highest moral and
spiritual insight and to the highest
moral and spiritual insight and
to the highest moral and spiritual
conduct .”
(6)
PREPARATION FOR A HOLY LIFE
Idealism prepares an individual
for a holy life. Froebel says.”The object of education is the realization of a
faithful, pure, inviolable and hence holy life.’’
(7) DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENCE AND RATIONALITY
Idealism wishes that education
should develop the mind fully. It makes a person rational as well. Only the
highly developed mind can understand the all pervading force. The idealists
believe that education must
help in the
full evolution of
mind , the emancipation of
spirit, self realization and
the realization of higher values of
life and to train the whole
man completely and
fully for manhood
and not some
part of man.
IDEALISM AND
CURRICULUM
While
developing curriculum, idealists give more importance to thought, feelings,
ideals and values than to the child and
his activities. They firmly hold that curriculum should be concerned with the
whole humanity and its experiences. It must consist of humanities.
The curriculum should give good mental experience of all types. So cognition
(knowing) affecting (feeling)
and conation (striving)
should find due place.
Sciences and art should be taught
as fully integrated. Since
the main
aim of education according
to the philosophy of
idealism is to preserve
and advance the
culture of human
race ,so subjects
like Religion, Ethics,
philosophy, History, Literature
etc, should be
provided in the
curriculum. Healthy mind is found
in healthy baby only. So health,
hygiene, games and sports should find an important place in the curriculum.
IDEALISM AND
METHODS OF TEACHING
Idealism has
not prescribed specific methods of teaching.
According to idealism, class-room is a temple of spiritual learning, a meeting place of
human minds- a place for self education. For this no particular method has been
suggested.However, the following methods have been advocated by different
idealists:
·
Learning through reading
·
Learning through lecturing
·
Learning through
discussion
·
Learning through imitation
·
Descrates employed the
device of simple to complex
IDEALISM AND DISCIPLINE
Naturalism provides
unrestricted freedom to the child whereas Idealism wants to keep the child
under discipline. Idealists believe that there can be no spiritual development
of the child without discipline. This leads to inner discipline. “The
discipline is not to be imposed on pupils. The teacher has only to help them to
develop self discipline and through that self knowledge”
Self-insight and self
analysis are the main disciplinary factors. The main task of education is the
cultivation of higher values of life through moral and religious education. It
requires the teacher to present a good example and exercise lasting impact upon
the pupil’s mind. A teacher is an ideal person to be emulated by this pupil.
IDEALISM AND
TEACHER
Idealism assigns a special
role to the teacher. It considers teacher as a spiritual guide for the child.
The teacher serves as a living model for the student. He sets the environment
in which education takes place. He carries the child from darkness to light. He
is to guide the student towards utmost possible perfection
Idealism
regards the teacher as the priest of man’s spiritual heritage. He is a
co-worker with God in perfecting man. An idealist teacher is a philosopher,
friend and guide. According to Gentle- A teacher is “a spiritual symbol of
right conduct.” He is thus, an indispensable necessity.
According
to Froebel, the school is a garden, the teacher is a cautious gardener and the
child is a tender plant. The plant can grow, no doubt, without help but the
good gardener sees that the plant grows to the finest possible perfection.
Through teacher’s guidance the child can make his natural development into a
process leading to perfection and beauty.
CONTRIBUTIONS
OF IDEALISM TO EDUCATION
Idealistic
philosophy in education emphasizes ‘the exaltation of personality’, which is
the result of self-realization, achieved by spiritual knowledge,
self-discipline and dignified teacher. Idealism assigns a very important place
to the teacher who is respected as a guide, and philosopher. They emphasize the
importance of moral and spiritual education and points out the values of
humanities, social sciences, art and literature. It emphasizes man’s perfection
in various facets of life-physical, spiritual, intellectual, moral, esthetic
and social.
EVALUATION
OF IDEALISM
(1)The common criticism regarding Idealism is
that it is an abstract and vague doctrine. It avoids the present realities and
prepares the child for the next world.
(2) Idealism is concerned with the ultimate
end of life. It avoids the real problems day to day living. Education should be
such as to make individuals capable to solve the problems that confront them
from time to time able to lead a happy and contented life.
(3) Idealism lays more emphasis on
thinking and mental activities. This increases the importance of
intellectualism unnecessarily.
(4) Idealistic education gives more
importance to teacher in relation to the child. Modern psychology emphasizes
the prime and central importance of child.
(5) Idealistic methods of teaching
emphasize cramming and rote memory. In modern education, these methods are
given little importance.
CONCLUSION
Idealism
may be considered to be outmoded in the prevailing scientific world view.
Idealistic concepts like ‘spirit’, ‘mind’, ‘soul’, and ‘the cosmos’ have little
relevance in the class-room teaching. There is too much emphasis on good
manners and modesty which may be mistaken. It neglects child’s psychological nature.
Idealism does not contribute to methods of teaching. It sets unobtainable
goals. Idealistic scheme of education, by and large, pays attention to
physical, industrial, social and electronic environment of today. It neglects
social aspects of life. It over emphasizes humanity and under rates science and
technology. In all, we can say that idealistic approach to education has its
own merits and shortcomings. It should, therefore, be supplemented by other
philosophy or philosophies of education.
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