Idealism facts for kids

Idealism is a way of thinking in philosophy that suggests reality is mostly about ideas, thoughts, and values, rather than just physical things. It means that what we see and experience in the world is strongly connected to our minds, our thoughts, and how we understand things.

Some people who believe in idealism think that what's truly real are the ideas and images inside our minds. It's like saying your thoughts and feelings are just as real, or even more real, than the chair you're sitting on.

What is Idealism?

Idealism is a big idea in philosophy. It says that the world we live in isn't just made of matter. Instead, it's deeply connected to our minds. Think of it this way: your thoughts, feelings, and ideas are very important. Idealism suggests that these mental things are the true building blocks of everything.

It's different from believing that only physical things are real. Idealism argues that our minds play a huge role in creating our reality. What we perceive and understand shapes the world around us.

Key Ideas of Idealism

Idealism has a few main points:

• Mind over Matter: This is a core idea. It means that the mind, or consciousness, is more important than physical objects. Some idealists believe that without a mind to perceive it, the world wouldn't exist in the same way.
• Ideas are Real: For idealists, ideas are not just things we think about. They are fundamental parts of reality. Values, concepts, and thoughts are seen as very real.
• Reality is Connected to Us: Idealism often teaches that the outside world cannot be separated from our own thoughts and perceptions. Our minds are not just observers; they are active participants in creating our experience of reality.

Different Kinds of Idealism

There are many types of idealism. Some believe that reality is made of one big mind, like a universal consciousness. Others think that each person's mind creates their own reality.

Plato's Ideas

One of the earliest thinkers to have ideas like idealism was Plato. He was an ancient Greek philosopher. Plato believed in a "World of Forms." These Forms were perfect, unchanging ideas or blueprints for everything we see. For example, there's a perfect "Form of a Chair" that all physical chairs are just copies of. This means the idea of a chair is more real than any actual chair you can sit on.

Detail of Plato in The School of Athens, by Raphael

Eastern Philosophy

Idealism is also a big part of many Eastern philosophies. In ancient India, thinkers like Yajnavalkya explored ideas similar to idealism. They believed that the true self (Atman) is one with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This reality is often seen as pure consciousness or spirit.

The sage Yajnavalkya (possibly 8th century BCE) is one of the earliest exponents of idealism, and is a major figure in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.

Another important figure was Vasubandhu, a Buddhist philosopher. He taught that all phenomena are "mind-only." This means that everything we experience is a creation of our minds. It's not that things don't exist, but their existence depends on our consciousness.

Statue of Vasubandhu (jp. Seshin), Kōfuku-ji, Nara, Japan.

Modern Idealism

In more recent times, scientists have also touched on ideas similar to idealism. For example, Sir James Jeans, a British scientist, once said that the universe looks "more like a great thought than like a great machine." This suggests that even in science, some people see a deeper, mind-like quality to the universe.

The 20th-century British scientist Sir James Jeans wrote that "the Universe begins to look more like a great thought than like a great machine".

Why is Idealism Important?

Idealism helps us think about big questions:

• What is real?
• How do we know things?
• What is the connection between our minds and the world?

It encourages us to look beyond just what we can touch and see. It makes us consider the power of our own thoughts and ideas in shaping our lives and understanding the universe.

See also

In Spanish: Idealismo para niños