idealism
noun/ʌɪˈdɪəlɪz(ə)m/ · /ʌɪˈdiːəlɪz(ə)m/
Etymology First attested 1796, from ideal + -ism.
1
The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.
2
The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;—opposed to realism.
3
Human sciences, Philosophy, Sciences An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.
- Derived terms
- absolute idealism, epistemological idealism, metaphysical idealism, overidealism, transcendental idealism, unidealism
- Related terms
- idealist, idealistic, idealistically, perfectionism, realism, pragmatism, materialism, physicalism