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View synonyms for idealism

idealism

[ ahy-dee-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

  1. the cherishing or pursuit of high or noble principles, purposes, goals, etc.
  2. the practice of idealizing.
  3. something idealized; an ideal representation.
  4. Fine Arts. treatment of subject matter in a work of art in which a mental conception of beauty or form is stressed, characterized usually by the selection of particular features of various models and their combination into a whole according to a standard of perfection. Compare naturalism ( def 2 ), realism ( def 3a ).
  5. Philosophy.
    1. any system or theory that maintains that the real is of the nature of thought or that the object of external perception consists of ideas.
    2. the tendency to represent things in an ideal form, or as they might or should be rather than as they are, with emphasis on values.


idealism

/ aɪˈdɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. belief in or pursuance of ideals
  2. the tendency to represent things in their ideal forms, rather than as they are
  3. any of a group of philosophical doctrines that share the monistic view that material objects and the external world do not exist in reality independently of the human mind but are variously creations of the mind or constructs of ideas Compare materialism dualism
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


idealism

  1. An approach to philosophy that regards mind, spirit, or ideas as the most fundamental kinds of reality, or at least as governing our experience of the ordinary objects in the world. Idealism is opposed to materialism, naturalism , and realism . Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was an idealist; so was Immanuel Kant .


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Derived Forms

  • iˌdealˈistically, adverb
  • iˈdealist, noun
  • iˌdealˈistic, adjective
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Other Words From

  • anti-i·deal·ism noun
  • over·i·deal·ism noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of idealism1

First recorded in 1790–1800; ideal + -ism, probably modeled on German Idealismus
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Example Sentences

That is where the link between realism and idealism specifically originates.

From Time

It is in that rendezvous with a wider world that realism and idealism are destined to coexist.

From Time

His saga, which has escalated to the trade request and staredown phase, is a bizarre case of a team draining its young superstar’s idealism in record time.

A little bit of idealism will go a long way in softening the ground on a daunting issue.

From Fortune

Remember the idealism and love of country that brought you to service.

Both followed wars; people were tired of idealism and self-sacrifice and were determined to enjoy a self- indulgent materialism.

Pope Paul VI and the Church at that time could be forgiven for puritanical idealism.

TR reinvigorated the office after a succession of grey presidents with his unself-conscious energy, idealism and determination.

By doing so, we will also achieve what Du Bois championed: practical idealism based in lifelong learning.

For Moses, the idealism of Freedom Summer was inseparable from the practical task of making it work.

Brahmanism carried idealism to the extent of denying any reality to sense or matter, declaring that sense is a delusion.

Never, certainly, did age more need his high idealism to teach a nobler rule in national and private life.

Briefly, by enlarging his enterprise, Terry threw away the immediate advantage of his personal idealism and charm.

Before his paintings and engravings pale idealism disappeared.

Cornelius endeavoured to raise the masses to his level, paid for his idealism with unpopularity, and was never understood.

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